You can generally get by with more tire on a 10-bolt front versus a 10-bolt rear. I broke two front axle shaft u-joints with a 10-bolt front, limited slip, and 35's, but that was mainly due to driving style. After figuring out you shouldn't have the wheels at full lock when down in a rut or something, and in general being careful, it held up fine. I also had a 14-bolt FF in the back which you know isn't going to break with 35's.
Also with the front axle, if you do break something it's rarely something that disables the vehicle or makes it tough to drive off the trail or down the road. Generally you can just unlock the hubs and put it in 2wd and it's like nothing is wrong. If you break a rear axle you have to deal with a tire no longer attached to the truck (broken shaft) or cobbling it together to limp back home.