8.25" rear axle and disc brakes???

Just some food for thought! 80% of your stopping power comes from the front wheels. Spending that $260 on improving the braking up front will make a much more dramatic difference than being spent on the rear wheels.

Also, isn't the 2.45:1 carrier the point at which you would need a new carrier to go to 3.55 gears?

Another point if you are going to pull the rear end apart to rebuild why not just go with an Auburn limit-slip carrier to start with? The Powertrax units are more expensive but are nice because you don't have to pull the carrier to install.