Cost for A Body 8.75 Rear End

You do realize that 340 cars came with 741’s? In my 65 years I’ve never seen a 741pinion snap. And the 1 3/8 pinion diameter is larger than the famed 9” Ford. Hell if you worried about strength down the road , build a Dana 60.
I agree with you. I had a very warmed over 440 in HS it had a 741 case with 391's I beat on that poor car for years and raced it. Never a problem.