cut the tube to use another passanger side ( short ) axle shaft. this will make the center pinion only 1/2" off. Any passanger side Explorer axle shaft 1995-2001 will work.. Explorer and Ranger guys do it all the time to clear wider tires.. IIRC 2 15/16" is what needs to be shortened out.. The pumpkin on the 8.8 is cast and can't be welded. so you would need to put the brackets on the axle tubes.. Expo- G body swap has been done. Mustang is a closer fit stock but more $$...

At the U pull it I go to, used rear axles are $50. but $100 is a really good price if it's removed.. I managed to get an S10 ZR2 ( same axle over setup ) out w/o dropping the springs. but it took a lot of fighting and a few hrs. not somthing I would do every day