Well a down side to having JY parts delivered is that you don't get all the little parts you may need... So here's the question, can I use my 8" shock absorber plates on my 8.8 swap ?
I would think so, you may have to weld up the existing holes, and drill some new ones, since the axle tube is larger on the 8.8.
you can drill the original plates or even slot the holes. the explorer 8.8 tube is just over 3". you will also need the explorer ubolts or get new ones that fit around the explorer tubes.