I'd like to stay as "off the shelf" as possible, whichever route I go.
If I went with an HP Ford, and had it cut down to Cehvy width, then I could run Chevy outers and axle shafts to maintain the aprts availability.
For my intended uses, I'm not even sure I need to go as heavy duty as a 9", but I am right at the cusp of a D35 being too weak, and bigger axles being overkill. I could go with a trussed super D35, and buy an extra shaft, just to have a spare 30 spline; I'd also have the flanges drilled to a more common BP than the 5x5 it is now. However, with the popularity of the new JKs, this isnt the issue it once was.
I hadnt even thought of the diff offset in the rear of the UZJ, it wont be an issue up front though as the UZJ is IFS.
FZJ axles wouldnt be entirely bad, but as was stated in a previous post in this thread, the steering linkage will be an issue; although it might be solved with some hi-steer arms.
I agree on the ABS issue. This is the first vehicle that I have had that has it, and I'm on the fence about it. Even the wife knows how to brake on slick roads properly. The speedo and tone rings can be overcome easily too.
The other item that is in the works is ditching the 42RE for an AW-4, that or just building the 42RE a bit better...it has lasted close to 150k with only routine maintenance.