Need help figuring out options for regear

[Slooptin]

I have a 90 burb (350/700r4) with a 6" ORD lift and 10 bolts front & rear. I run 35" tires most of the time with some 33" studded snow tires for winter. A previous owner (not the guy I bought it from, but the dude before him) installed 5.38 gears in the 10 bolts, which I'm sure are fine for 40's but not ideal for 35's and have the engine screaming on 33's (even in OD).

I've shopped around for quotes to regear to 4.56 but they're all coming back around the 2500-3500 mark which is more than I'd like to pony up right now considering I'm trying to buy a house soon. Plus axles and gearing are the one thing I'm kind of weary of from a diy perspective.

I've found a set of 10 bolts on marketplace for around $200 (I know it's a gamble) with 3.73 gears. I feel like that's kind of high for 35's but I'm thinking I could just drive with OD off and only use it for long highway trips and maybe install a lockup switch for 3rd gear highway driving. Is my logic there sound (other than buying mystery axles off marketplace)?

Before someone says it, an axle swap to something different (dana 44/60/12 bolt/14 bolt)is a little out of the question, as the 10 bolt is set up for crossover steering and I'd like to keep my wheels & tires for the time being because again, money is tight right now. I can do a direct axle swap in my driveway pretty easily with the tools I have

 

[Snoots]

You can probably get a complete axle set (used) with 3:73 for less.
IMO, buy the house #1. Truck #2.

 

[Ricko1966]

Buy a tach, with your 33s or or your 35s you should be in the vicinity of 2500 in o.d. on the highway not ideal but not horrible. I don't think the 3.73s would be ideal for 35s,so either way not ideal but you can buy your house drive with your 5.38s while you look for 4.11 or 4.56 axles.

 

[Slooptin]

I've got a tach now, but I'll take both answers into consideration