This was a fun read.. I wheel my 95 Grand Cherokee with the D30 and rear 35. It rolls on 31s and *I* haven't had issues. I have had friends with issues, but they were stretching the limits for almost any axle.
Since I have a 90 Cherokee, a 95 Grand Cherokee, a 90 Ranger and a 94 Explorer in my stable, I'll give my opinions for them.
90 Cherokee has the 4.0, AW4 automatic, NP231 transfer case, D30 and D35 axles. This truck is about as basic as they came, but it is a blast to drive on and off road. My daughter drives it and can get 25 MPG average out of it. And in bone stock form, can travel almost anyplace I really want to take it. Its fairly small, so narrow tight trails are no problem. And decent ground clearance for a stock 4x4. This truck hasn't cost me much in repairs, but then, I got a 87 Cherokee for free as a parts rig. I do most of my own work, and have friends that can do work I can't or won't tackle. Depending on when I get a different rig for my daughter, this might become my next project, considering 1 ton axles, 4" lift and long arms, with 35 or 37" tires and LOTS of cutting. Low center of gravity is the goal...
95 Grand Cherokee. Slightly bigger, but more headroom and legroom. Cushier ride, due to coil springs at all corners. This also has the 4.0, a Chrysler automatic, NP242 transfer case, D30 and D35 axles. This is also a bit heavier than the regular Cherokee. Very nimble offroad. Mine has the factory Up Country package with tow hooks and full skid plates, and a 1" factory lift. I've added 2" spacers with the coils, and swapped in aftermarket front upper and lower control arms, and now rides on 31s. But, took it places on 235/75-15s and no lift the Cherokee couldn't go. I will be adding some rock sliders and bumpers soon, so my 22MPG average will be out the window soon. Yes, 22 MPG average with small lift and 31s. I would love to snag a TJ 6 speed manual trans for this rig. And LOVE the fulltime setting in the transfer case in the winter.
1990 Ranger. 2.3, 5 speed, 1354 electric shift transfer case. Bought with 6" lift, and we have since swapped in extended radius arms. This truck has been a lot of fun, before we stopped driving it (became an extended project that still isn't finished!), I managed 28 MPG rolling 31s. Not a fast truck on the highway, but plenty of power offroad. A bit wider than either of my Jeeps, ground clearance is more than I need. Hard to compare to my Jeeps other than being wider just a bit. Hope to have it on 33s and back on the road this summer.
1994 Explorer. Comfortable highway cruiser. MUCH bigger than my Grand Cherokee. Taller, longer and much heavier. But tons more headroom. Still quite capable offroad, but less clearance than either of the Jeeps, and taller than my lifted Grand Cherokee. It is also a lot longer and a bit wider like the Ranger. Sits on 31s right now, but will be back on 235s soon. Its back in the garage because of a coolant leak we thought was at the timing cover, now seems to be the intake manifold. Fun, not.
I'll admit to being a fan of all these, and its nice to have access to all of them. I also admit to being cheap. The Cherokee I got for $700 and have less than that in it after 3 years. Paid the same originally for the Ranger, but the never ending project has more than doubled the original investment. Both the Ranger and Cherokee were both painted in my garage, for less than $100 to do both. The Explorer was bought last year with a dead A4LD and I put less than $500 in its rebuild (did it myself...). The Grand Cherokee has been my expensive buy, bought 4 years ago for $3300. I have less than $100 in the suspension, snagged parts folks were giving away. I am very patient too. And have a semi-understanding wife...
Hope that helps the original poster...
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