alternatives to an 8.75- what about an explorer 8.8?

I was looking up and down for a 8 &3/4 rear end. I read up on the articles. I have a 73 duster, found a 8.8 out of a explorer on craigs list for about $150. Took it to a drive train shop the guy knew what I wanted to do. he cut the rear end and added new strange axles. When it was all done with him I spent $500 bucks. Got my driveshaft conversion for about $20 took the guy like 15 mins. Went home bolt everything up, the 8.8 had 373 gears in it. I'm happy. It lays down rubber and goes. The car ran 16's up here at Bandimere are I'm about to take it up soon to see what it will run now. I wanted a 8 3/4 but the ford worked out for me. The pinion angle is off on the rearend to begin with you have to get it cut. As long as you drivetrain guy knows what he is doing then thats no problem. I know i'm not the only one doing it in my arear cause when I went to pic my rearend up there where two more 8.8 there for A bodies about to get cut also.