Well, I've been off crusin for rear..er a rear.. or uh.. That never comes out right. How about looking for a place to get a good deal on an 8.8.
Didn't you guys know that Strange Engineering is just north of Chicago? I didn't just figured that one out. It's actually cheaper to buy it out of state and have it trucked in than to pay the goofy Illinois sales tax.
I talked to DTS today, very friendly folks, spoke to, "Steve."
www.drivetrainspecialists.com - advertises in MM&FF.
Looks like it will be an 8.8" setup, 31 spline 5 lug axles, 9" housing ends, Eaton differential, 3.55 gears. They true the housing, weld the tubes on weld the housing ends on and powder coat or paint (your choice). Said about two weeks to build it. They offer used housings or new..although I don't know why you would want a new one when they're just going to bend/weld/powder coat it anyways.
One more place to call, Moser.
Ozona