[Excaliber]

8.8 is the one with the cover on the back (which I referred to as the 8"). I don't know about an 8" ring gear used in the 9" application, I suppose you could, but I'd still call it a 9".

Good idea modifying the bearing/seals on a 9". A real pain in the butt as built from Ford. That would require special after market axles as the "stock" ones wont have a place for the seal to ride against on the "other side" of the bearing.

Ernie