Hate to do it

I don't understand why you think doing an 8-1/4 would cost thousands of dollars. You could do a Dana for that money. I see 8-1/4"s with a sure grip sell for $250 to $300. Yes you can use a Ford 8.8 but you'll pay that for one of them and it won't directly bolt in and require one of the sides to be shortened to accommodate the off set driveshaft in a Mopar or it'll vibrate like crazy and eat U-joints and the transmission output bushing