I'll be doing the 8.8 on my TJ Hopefully by the end of the year. When I found work again, I just started a job and my D35 rear end grenaded because someone must have reused a screw somewhere(who knows). I spend 1100.00 getting if fixes since I had just started the job. I could have gotten the 8.8 had I had the time to wait and not needed to commute to work. Since this is my only vehicle and I am not that handy in mechanics, I found a place to build an axle with what I want. At the East Coast Gear Supply website you can build the rear end you want, shipping is free but handling fee is 250.00. The shafts are welde, the brackets are welded and this axle is made to drop in and bolt only a TJ. You don't know none of the welding, it was done for you. Depending on if you put a locker in it, you can build an 8.8 rear axle for a grand. I priced one out with a lunchbox locker and it came to 1200.00 not including the said handling fee.
You'll be happy with that rear end. Althought I've heard of people breaking it, they must have been just been beating on it. Nevermind trying to build up the current axle you are running, just go with the 8.8. It's a great and pretty popular conversion axle for the TJ.