That's only if you use one from an explorer. The ranger is ready to go as is.
The reason more people prefer the explorer rear over the ranger rear is because the axles are thicker on the Explorer and the explorer rear is going to have disc brakes.
The ranger didn't have as thick of axles and drum brakes but can handle a lot of power, I would only use a shortened explorer rear end if I ran a heavily modified, high horsepower engine.
I have never heard of a broken ranger 8.8 even behind various Chevy and ford V8s
