yea, stock axles suck, but with 33's and a 2.5, I don't really have that problem. I could run 35's now, but they'd be a little close, but some trimming and new flares and they'd work. I wanted to get rid of the stock suspension so I went that route. I'll do a spring-over later. With 3.5" springs and then a spring-over, I'll be where I want, just one step at a time. I have no need for that much right now.
Carefull using too big of a lift spring with a SOA it will lose some of its flex. Which is a main reason for a SOA unless you just want big tires. Hell with stock springs I think a SOA is 5".
As for the axles with my setup I blew up the carrier, spiders, and axle. At one time. But I was in 2wd. Then put it in 4 started to drive home after a mile the dam axle slid out while I was goin 25mph. Be carefull 4 banger got some punch