“…….Lot of people use the Ford 8.8……..”
For the last few years that’s kind of been one of the hot setups, and I’ve got to admit their becoming a lot easier to find than the 8 ¾ and 9”. I like the idea of using a rear end with a drop out center section for this project however. I’ve narrowed the rear end ratio I’ll be using to 3 choices; 4.10, 4.30 and 4.56. The final decision will be left until I figure out what tire size I stuff under the rear end. If I choose poorly and want to change, it’s a whole lot easier with a drop out center section.
If you are only going to be doing this once, might be even easier to have a shop do the gear change on the 8.8. Still probably come out cheaper than finding and buying am 8 3/4 and odds are you won't be finding the ratio you want already in it so you still will be doing a gear change, unless you already have those center sections on hand and ready to go.
Not to mention disc brakes are easy to find on an 8.8. if you want them, not so much the other options mentioned.
I haven't paid for a gear change since 91, so I dunno the cost there, ymmv.
