Sublimeswinger is implying that the 8.25 doesn't have a removable center chunk like an 8.75, which is technically the "3rd member".
As far as I have been able to research, all 8.25" carriers are interchangeable, up until 1997, when they changed to a 29 spline pattern.
The only exception is that your 2.45 carrier is a lerger diameter to accomodate the ultra big ring gear. I have the same prob, but I am upgrading to the 29 spline from a 2004 Dakota. The only catch is that I am having Moser cut me a new set of axles with the right spline.