You may find one in the yard under a few Cherokees. As for the Ford 8.8 you'd need to find an Explorer. Both would be easy junk yard finds.

Average wrenching skills, no, average fabrication skills, yes.

 

8.25 bolts straight in = average wrenching
Ford explorer requires fabrication.

 

The desirable 29 spline chrysler 8.25 is under the 97-01 Cherokee's. I bought one for 200$ when the old one was moaning and groaning. So now i have a spare waiting to be geared. Just look for any 97-01 cherokee's with the flat spot on the bottom of the rear and thats the one.
Also if the cherokee has ABS, then it has dana 35. If no ABS then it may be both, but more commonly C8.25
-Mike

 

So what would you do if you had a 97 that you're getting ready to put a lift on and run 32" tires, and has a 8.25 under it already, but ya have a D44 lying in the garage waiting to be rebuilt? The D44 still needs brakes and currently has 3.55 gears, which should be upgraded too... decisions, decisions...

 

Thanks fellas for the helpful replies.

 

If you've got a working axle in your truck that doesn't need a rebuild, go with that one. You won't have to do a swap, and you won't have to put money into a rebuild. You can take all that saved cash and put it to good use.