I find myself in a bit of a dilemma.  I have a 2004 XL7 4x4 auto sitting here with some issues that I don't really feel like fixing.  I have a extremely modified Samurai rock crawler needing an engine, that I previously swapped a GV 2,0L in to, that really isn't enough to turn the 37" tires on it now even before the engine issues.  Last, I have a 2002 GV 4x4 that I've been building to be the do-it-all DD/off road toy, and was planning on going to a 32" tire. 

I'm aware that the '04-'06 XL-7 used a completely different front axle design than the '01-'03 models.  I'm aware that the '01-'03 axle is the preferred model as it's a near direct swap.  I'm looking at this specifically because it's an "I already have it" axle, and have the entire XL7 as a donor if needed.  I've been looking on and off for the earlier axle for a while, and haven't found anything outside of buying an entire car, and I'm not spending several thousand just to get the axle, lol. 

I'm not concerned about fabricating mounts for it, but from a strength standpoint, is it even worth swapping it in place of the '02 GV front?  I'm finding TONS of threads various forums on the swap using the earlier axles, and not a thing on making the later axles work, or saying it's not worth because X...

I'm thinking if I can move the axles over to the GV, then I'll throw the engine in the Samurai, part out the rest, and won't feel so bad about what I might have lost by not just selling it whole.  Otherwise I'll just go V8 in the Samurai, and use whatever I can get out of the XL7 as proceeds towards that project.