I’ve killed two 80’s. The first was on an OME basic lift running 315’s on stock wheels. I was snow wheeling and slid over a steep bank and rolled twice in 2015. The second was after having ran 37’s for six years back in the spring of 2023. I was goofing around up in the National forest near my house and tipped over at about 25 mph. Being the mud tires stuck out past the body the sidewalls gripped the ground and she came back up on the wheels minus the windshield but I was able to drive her home. Rollover number one was was definitely not the fault of 37’s. Number two may have not happened with your current set up, probably not. However, both were my fault not the fault of vehicle set up.
If you do the set up properly and do all the necessary supporting mods and then drive accordingly there should be no problems. Something else to consider is that braking distances will be a bit longer but many members have realized improved braking after removing the old abs system even on larger tires myself included.
At this point it seems to make sense that you buy 35’s, and, if necessary install some spacers, on top of the springs. Then regear to 4.88 with the option to install transfer case under drive gears later if you do go to 37’s. It’s not a good idea to run a tire as long as possible if you are an off-roader. I’ve seen tires rip in half at less than 5 years old. I run them about four years and replace them even if there is still plenty of meat left. Some one will give you a few bucks for the take offs. With that in mind, during the 4 years you run the 35’s you’ll have time to spread out the purchasing and installing of some of the supporting mods for those 37’s. This is much less painful and requires little to no negotiations at the dining room table.
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@mudgudgeon said, lockers, 35’s and a GOOD winch will get you any where 37’s will but with perhaps a little more finesse.
One thing my wife did appreciate about our 80 going up to near 5” lift and 37’s is that there was a lot less boobie shocking impacts of the frame down onto boulders. This could be a great negotiating tool…….. keep us posted.