a stock 8.75 is stronger than a stock 9 inch-------and a venerable dana 44 is stronger than a 9 inch-------that said if you go the dana 44 route there is much aftermarket support for it as a 9 inch---and if you are looking at a narrow axle for a back halfed car you can find an easy axle under a 68? jeep wagoneer---the center section is offset so you have a short axle side and a long side you can cut down to size........