m38 axle swap

i have a 1953 jeep m38a1 with a dana 25 front axle. what is the biggest tires i can run before they break. and what is the cheapest option for a swap? dana 44? but where and out of what and how much will it cost to have it modified? please help  

man im in the same boat as you with my 48 cj2a.  from what i have found out, and i have done hours worth of research, is the 25 is crap and youll be lucky if it holds up the 27" stock tires.  an easy upgrade is the Dana 30.  if you get one from some jeep (CJ, FC, Commando) from 1941 - 1975, they all are the same width, 51", and the pumpkin is on the pass side.  from 1976 - 1983 in the CJ Narrow track, it is 53" wide.  the biggest advantage to that, besides the extra width, it the option of disc brakes.  you just have to choose if this is a good swap for you or if you should just jump to the Dana 44.  i am still looking for the limits of the Dana 30, espicaly with 5.38 gears.  if you wanted a dana 44 and you were retaining the Spicer 18 transfer case then axles out of a 73-79 Wagoneer or J-Truck will work but youll have to move the spring perches outside the frame.  the narrow trac from those were 59.2" so ther a bit longer than the stock.  however, you can swipe the rear too and at 57 1/2" it will make you jeep nice and wide.  the dissadvantage is the 3.07 gears that will have to be replaced.  the wide track version is something like 65" in front and 59" in back.  Good luck.