If you feel shamed on Mud then you need to let your skin thicken up. Have you gone to other automotive forums in the off-road world? Mud is consistently complimented by new comers as the friendliest and most helpful car forum they have ever been on.
If you want accurate answers to your...
Get the “junker” sell the axles for a pretty penny and have after market lockers installed. This is much easier and you won’t need to deal with the overhaul and preparation of old assemblies.