[tomp]

Putting 35s will increase steering and axle stress, but you should always carry spare tie rods and half shafts anyhow so no worries there. I think a stock H3 with 35s (even an 08 with just a rear locker) will go anywhere that jeep of yours would go.

Yes, the H3 has IFS and is limited on front articulation, but like you are looking for - the H3 has much better on road manners due to the IFS. It is a luxury offroad vehicle on steriods.

The H2 will out wheel an H3 on the more extreme stuff (I have both), but there are times where the smaller width H3 will have advantages but then again the H2s width will have the advantages where width will benefit. The H2 can be beefed up more than the H3 as well (due to limited H3 offroad aftermarket support). However, the Rubicon wins in all areas expect for on road comfort.

Like you said, the H3 is the best deal due to the rebates. Here in Texas they are offering 7K incentive and antoher 1.5K if you get a demo with some low miles on it. We just upgraded our 07 to an 08 demo for same monthly payment and got many more options than we had before.

The 09s are already at the dealers. I had two in my driveway the other day (loaners while our H2 and H3 were at dealer). These two did not have adventure package, nor were there any at the dealer yet. I am thinking they (GM) are doling onto them to see if they can drop the incentive plans before releasing them. I do think the locker and CI cases will retrofit the previous model years, but only time will tell.

A front diff does not make that much difference except in those rare cases where you need it. It also increases chances of breaking a half shaft in those knarly situations where front wheels are binded.

I say get an 08 before they are all gone. I think GM will release the 09s with adventure packages when all/most of the 08s are gone but then the incentives may be gone as well