My $0.02 on gearing:

In a 3.2l Trooper, 33s are driveable with 4.56 gears. They are better (and closer to stock) with 4.77 gears.

Considering that the VX comes with 4.30, going to 4.56 is about the same (6% lower) as going from 4.56 to 4.77 (5% lower), 33s and 4.56 would be a very good match on the VX.

Even with the 124HP 2.6l engine, 33s and 4.77 gears were not bad, and many people lived with 124HP, 4.56 and 33s.

Your 215HP will probably turn 33s just fine with stock gearing, but if you are installing lockers (which makes sense if you are going to off-road it) it also makes sense to get a set of 4.56 gears at the same time. They will probably be VERY cheap near you at a junkyard. Any Trooper from 1988-1997 will have 4.56 gears in the 10bolt/12 bolt combination. I've purchased both full axles (in PA) for $67.50.

For me the front axle was almost never what I got hung up on, it was the transfer case skid plate. I'd happily drop the front axle 1.5" if I was lifting the t-case skid the same amount (via lift springs and cranking the t-bars).

-Tad