I've been doing some reading up on general 4x4 stuff & cleared out my local newsagents stock of magazines  

I've seen a lot of mentions of the front axle being a weakpoint when going off-road.
I mean, how much damage can a stock 'zuki take?
I know a lot of guys really thrash their trucks, or go rockcrawling etc and I can understand how and why things can get messed up doing that, but when do I need to start worrying?  

The impression you get from reading this stuff is that the axle will snap like a toothpick at the first whiff of mud or gravelly bits.  

The Zuk axles will stand up fine for mild to moderate offroading.  Dirt and gravel roads will not be a problem!!!  Usually they start having problems when you put much larger tires on, and then go rock crawling.  They can't handle that kind of torque.

Don't know if you have the aluminum housing or the cast iron housing.  If you have a cast iron housing, it can take quite a bit of abuse.  If it's aluminum, it can't take as much.

I started having trouble with mine when I went to a 4:1 transfer case reduction and 33's. Before that, I had 29's, stock t-case, and rear locker and never had trouble with the axles.
Zig

I have 34in swampers on mine and i have played in the mud three times before a broke the aluminum case.  If you don't know already there is a article about how to put a steel case and sammy locker in in the front.
 Happy wheelin newbie    lata  Stu