More traction
 

since i've starting doing more off road driving in the mud and and dirt i have noticed that my 2004 wj quadratrac 2 has some pretty bad traction issues witch i would like to sort.
I've seen a few different ways of improving it, firstly adding an air locker kit.
secondly an axle swap and thirdly changing the rubber.

what would you suggest as the most cost effective permanent solution to the problem?

Most cost-effective over-all (on and off-road.); I'd say new rubber on a 2nd set of wheels.
Saves your daily rubber from getting cut up offroad and your off-road rubber from excessive wear on-road.

But most cost-effective purely off-road; I woulda thought the air locker is a no-brainer.

I'll put my vote in for tyres, first change for sure.

Good tyres will get you through a lot of things before you really need the airlocker.

Plus great value for money as you use them all the time, where the airlocker is only used now and then.

I'd also say good M/T rubber if that's what you're getting into.

A locker is good, but it wont be as effective in mud if the tyres aren't providing good bite in the first place.

Tyres and under body protection are always my first mods.

well thanks for that guys, a good set of muds on spare rims it is then.