What to do?
Here's how the tab for my Duster's rear worked out. Just food for thought:
Scrap C-Bod rear: $100
Narrowed/tubed/braced $400
Yukon Axles w/bearings and studs: $275
Powertrax locker: $295
3.73 ring and pinion: $175
8 3/4 rebuild kit $40
2 1/2" shoes $28
Can of paint $4
Grand total: $1,317
You can get it just narowed for a little over $100 and probably be OK up to around 600hp with good axels. So the 8 3/4 mod route costs at least grand to do it right. Maybe you find something good used/complete for sale for less, not likely IMHO. Don't forget, that's doing all the work yourself.
What's a new Dana go for these days anyway?