OK, first post. Pretty handy at doing repairs myself. Trying to save a few bucks too.

So, can I use my stock 10 bolt 8.2 17 spline rear end, and update with 3.73 gears? Eaton makes em, and also has a posi unit for the stock rear too. Are these rears considered HD, or fragile? I will be pushing only up to 380HP to it.
Trying to get my tri-5 to come out a little quicker and maybe leave a patch now and then. (yes, at 45, I still want to smoke em!) I want to do thing right but have a major buget. Sure a 9" ford rear would be great, but will my stock rear hold up?
Many Thanks---Phil.