<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> LMAO <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Josh, You and I both know no one should build cheaply; nor should one invest any money on the D35. But, the reality is that not everybody does the same narly trails that Chef Mark does. On 4x4 wire, the writers never really know well the individual they're responding, how they drive offroad, what type of trails they'll commonly attempt, ... or, whatever. We see posts frequently about Jeeps having the D 35 w/ lockers, and the owner says that he, or, his buddy, have been wheeling with that setup for years without problems.
Money, money, money ... I suspect that many new Jeep owners find their stock Jeep capabilities too limited when compared to other built Jeeps they meet on the trail. It seems that avoiding difficult trails is not an option even when weighted against the actual cost to build a Jeep correctly. Too bad that many inferior aftermarket products prevail, it only tempts four wheelers to attempt getting by with a cheap short-lived modification that causes more problems.
I really did abuse the D 35 on the YJ. I ran 33s and 35s for tires, and maybe you didn't know that I had full floating hubs and beefier alloy axleshafts before the tube separated from the pumpkin. Yeah, you can say I wasted money. However, I would not now have traded those experiences for the ultimate solution. Incrementalism, Yes! However, I really enjoyed myself! No ... I wouldn't have changed a thing.
But, what if my four wheeling venues had been only easy trails? How long would the D 35 w/ Detroit have lasted in this scenario with only 30s or 31s for tires? I suspect many, many more years. The D 35 doesn't fail with light duty as you suggest. It's more common to get the front axle bouncing in the air and snap an axle under full throttle. Yep, did that, too. Simply pulled out the inner axle and went out to the highway with 3 WD and a rag bunched up as a plug in the tube to keep oil in the differential.
The D 35 axle usually doesn't break, the tube housing bends or separates, and most commonly, the axleshaft snaps and sometimes takes out the gears and/or locker. I was getting pretty handy at changing out the rear axleshafts! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Not a major repair IMHO! Fortunately, I never had to change an axleshaft in mud, nor have any damage to the differential gears.

So Good to hear from you, where've you been, Super? I totally agree; better to get a good winch and recovery gear if you truly don't have the funds to build a Jeep properly. I was just thinking now of the shade-mechanic's botched built-up Jeep that one of the guys in your shop had purchased several years ago. Obviously, if you don't have the training or skills, building your own Jeep could be an expensive project, too!
Just rambling here, this afternoon. Just wanted to say hello and say my what if ... See ya down the road. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />