[cobrashoch]

Actually they are all pretty close in ratings in both the aftermarket, or as stock, with the exception of the 9 inch Ford and the Dana 60. The ring gear diameter affects ring and pinion gear wear, because as the ratio goes up, there is more gears and they get finer on the ring. So as the ratio goes up they also have to spin faster. A 4.10 ratio is marginal in all 8.8's for ring gear wear, and ratios past 4.88's are marginal on 9 inch Fords. You can slap anything into a dana 60's 9 3/4 inch ring gear rear end and not even think about ring gear wear.
Of course most guys in lightweight Cobras don't run ratio's past 3.91's so by in large the common 8.8's pig size in most makes, to include the Dana 44 and the Jag is not the problem for a Cobra. At least as in how strong they are. Just remember that generally the larger the ring gear the larger and stronger the guts are in the rear end. And larger usially has more weight too.

But the axle size in rear ends is a BIG problem, togeter with half shaft weakness in ALL, I repeat,,, -- ALL--,, independent rear ends. But that's another topic for another time.
cobrashock