Me, I'd go to a Dana 60 from Dr. Diff, have the perches braced, and go pound on it for years & years.
I'm not a fan of a rearend pitching the car into the wall, flexing & steering the car, or breaking the trans up.
Yeah, it's heavier, your perches were the cause of your problems - not the 8.75 - I get all that. But for a little extra money, you won't have to worry about the rearend holding up.
Been there done that.