I'm looking to do a 8.8 swap from a 1980 throw 1997 mustang will the axle house need to be cut do

I think it was 86 for the 8.8 in the mustang. I had an 85 GT and it was 8.5 rear. Now that I think about it, it may have been as late as 88 before the mustang got the 8.8.
86 was the first year for fuel injection. I just remember 88+ was the desirable years.