Anybody have a rear axle other than the d35 for my yj ???
erics junkyard, repair shop guy gets great prices. other than that start pinging people for a 8.8
will have an Chrysler 8.25 available soon
I will sell ya some one tons. 
Search for rear axle assembly from 98 Ford Explorer. The 94 and earlier models used drums.
Halls Garage in Scituate has one for $150. North Providence Auto has one for $100 but its high mileage (over 200k), There is a place in Billerica, MA that has a bunch of them (including one with 84k miles) for $99.
He can go as late as 2001 on the 8.8, after that they went to independant rear suspension. I got an 01 8.8 in mine.
So what’s better 8.8 or d44 ??? Pros/cons
Its basically a wash. 8.8 has bigger ring gear but uses c clips and the shafts are know to break at the flange. 8.8’s also have bigger tubes but are know to sometimes spin the tube in the housing.
8.8s also tend to be cheaper. People like D44s because they came from the factory and can be bolted into a tj. You need to buy then weld on brackets to fit an 8.8 in a tj. 8.8s are basically bolt in for yj. I think Paul used the explorer spring perches for his. Only differs by small amount from yj spacing.
Also, a TJ bolt in D44 usually sells for a premium. 8.8’s are relatively cheap, even with the added costs of brackets and such.
just go with an 8.8. pick and pull is having a half off sale this weekend. i pulled an 8.8 in a couple of hours by myself. find an extra set of hands you you can pull one in 2 hours for like 75 bucks. your regearing so it doesnt really matter which ratio you get, just make sure its a open carrier not limited Slip. you can tell the difference by looking on the tag. if it has an LS before the numbers you dont want it. also look for the cleanest one possible because you can reuse the brakes but either way you’ll want new pads. i’d help you but i’m headed out of town this weekend.