Traction Help...

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I need to ask a few questions and I hope all of you can lead me in the right direction, first, I have a 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sahara with a D35 in the rear.  When I bought it I had no idea that I was to order it with a D44 track-lok (limited slip differential).  So I'm tat guy who has a jeep and wants it to go through anything but I don't have it set up for it now plus as an added note I drive it on the highway...not too far though!  The first question is what differential or traction aid should I buy for it...Locking or Limited Slip?  I have looked at the ARB system and the new electric locking differentials as well as the factory track-lok limited slip but I just don't know what to buy, plus the local 4 wheeler shop wants $500-600 just to put it in...thats nuts!  Second, I have put a number of performance mods on and it gets bad gas mileage when everything I put on was to help...so far I have a Banks exhaust, airaid intake with throttle body spacer, and a stage 2 chip (180 degree thermostat).  I have even replaced the spark plugs and cleaned the K&N but nothing.>>

Thank you very much and look forward to the ANSWERS!

does your yeep have a lift and bigger tires on it? if it does, then there is the gas mileage issue. most wranglers only had 3.07s in the diffs.  adding power adders just masks the real problem.  i'd also look for another shop to swap in a locker. they don't have to be a 4x4 shop to do it right.   unless that was the price for putting in new gears too or installing the arb. those are very time consuming to install. i'd probably steer you towards the detroit soft locker or gearless locker. that will keep the price and the squirlyness down.  

First, thank you for the response...

I do have bigger tires but they are only one size bigger 31x10.50-15 and I plan to lift it 4" and I want to put 33's on it, I just need to wait till I move..I do have to say though, I have recieved many gaines in HP but my overall mileage is down.  I guess it could be from the tires, or even my heavy foot on the gas?  As for the axle, the Jeep dealer told me that I have the 3.73 gears in the rear, I know this because I have had a clicking nosie in the rear axle but they have found nothing?  For all I know I could very well have the D44 and a Trac-Lok diff but it's broken and the Jeep people suck!

So why would you recamend a soft locker and how much should I pay to have that put in?

Thank you very much!

 a locker in the back of a short wheelbase rig is alot more noticeable than one in a long wheelbase one. especially with a manual trans on the street. so you will want one that you won't feel so much during everyday driving.  a locker that hits hard may cause the vehicle to jerk side to side when shifting or turning while on the throttle.  my buddy's cj almost changes lanes when you shift gears [ especially if you are getting on it]. it has a real detroit in the back, not the new soft locker.  the gearless is soft and a bit less money than the detroit.  i charge about $240 to install these.  

are u sure that the thermostat is functioning properly?  

Yes,  The temp never goes above 180 and the AC and heat work!