Actually it's not. As someone who has an 8.75 rear in my race car the selection is pathetic. You can only buy one pro gear, a 4.88 and that's if you can find that.
I've broken many 8.75's. Mostly the ring gears. I have the aluminum center section and it helps but I am still capable of breaking a standard street gear ring gear and my car is a small block. I can imagine what a healthy 500 cube big block could do.
The attraction of the Ford rear is it's ease of setup and weight when compared to a Dana and the aftermarket support for them. You can buy virtually any gear ratio in any material for the 9 inch. Yeah they weren't that great in stock form but the aftermarket has taken care of that and you can buy a bullet proof 9 inch now for nearly any application.
Would I put one in my car? I don't know at this point. If I build my new engine to it's full potential I may have to switch to a PG and a 9 inch. I don't want to though.
