I'm told the Ford 8.8 rear axle is a very sturdy rearend being used often by rodders as the 9" becomes harder to find. I got my 8.8 3:73 rear out of a 98 Ranger 4x4. There are several axle ratios available. I even saw a 4:11 ratio. I don't have the exact width handy but I think it's 1-2" narrower than the Volare clip I put in front. This should work well for getting some wider tires in back. The 8.8 is also offset 2" one way and I'm not sure of the reason why. My engine and tranny are already 1" offset in the engine bay to give more room on the drivers side, so the offset 8.8 should be okay.
I had some axle door codes with me when I went shopping at the wreckers that were helpful.
My donor already had the box off so that helped. I pulled it as one unit after drilling all the rivets out of the frame brackets. It took a couple of trips and all the batteries I own plus some I borrowed to drill those damn rivets. I got brackets, springs, axle and e-brake cables all in one piece. I did remove the sway bar but make note of exactly how it goes or you'll be turning it over in your hands for a while when you go to put it on.
Get the driveshaft too. It looks like the rear yoke and ujoint will fit onto a 3 1/2" driveshaft tube but I haven't gotten that far yet.
The Ranger 4x4's 8.8 is mounted under the axle with some big spacers to lift it high. I removed the spacers and relocated the perches to mount the axle on top of the springs. I won't know how final height works out until the body is back on. The spring frame brackets are bolted to the frame with grade 8 bolts and I do have some adjustment there if needed. Pinion angle is close but will have to be tweeked when the body's back on.
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