A look at the whole truss

Clearance is 7-8" up to body from the highest point, should even allow jumping if I ever desired to do so. Trail articulation this will not matter.

I like 8.8's, but they seem prone to tube to diff loosensing and then bending or spinning at this joining. The 8.8 tubes are 3.25" Dia. but are a bit thinner wall.

Some may wonder why the truss loop over the diff is so high up...this allows the tube coming forward to tie into the large piece of reinforcing rib (predrilled!) that ford was so nice to put there.

Should be ok with exhaust, a little trail testing will tell.

nudder shot of the 1.5" brace coming forward to tie in near pinion.

General idea with this truss is support right at the tube press fit to diff, with strong tie in support to diff at the pinion. So, the center section is what gets max. rigidity.

closeup of the 1/2 weld around the axle tube press fit in the diff.