Any one know if the later generation rear end sensors are compatible with the 87- 96 electronics? Lacking that; will the early speed / ABS sensor fit he later housing? I'm just dreaming here, but if you were willing to re-drill the lug pattern, and move the shock mounts, the later 9.75 rear end should fit. Advantage being; disc brakes, available electric diff locker, a bit more stout. I'm just tossing this around, the older 8.8 are getting harder to find in good shape, and rebuilding one likely would cost more than the swap.

 

The 8.8 is stronger than most people realize. There are disc brake kits available as are E lockers. There is no reason to change it unless you've put in an 800hp motor.

 

I'm looking more at the future, as the decent 8.8s get used up, what to do, what to do. In my area, we tend to run the drive train into the ground, cannibalize or rebuild, and repeat. The bodies dissolve slowly if at all, so spare parts do become more challenging to find in decent shape. We aren't quite there yet, but we are probably one big spike in scrap metal price away.

 

Well you can always make a trip up to the northwest . I have friends up here who can't give away 8.8's. Everybody wants sterling 10.25s and dana 60s.

I did hear a rumor that you can take a rear end from a 04-05ish van and bolt it up. Gives you disc brakes. Never really looked into it.