8.8 ranger rear-end

I have a 97 ranger stepside with a 5/6 drop and im goin to begin buyin bag parts and hopefully get it bagged over the summer. Only problem is when i bought my rims, 18' KMC Stealths, i didnt know i was going to keep building upon the truck. Well if i bag it, it looks like the front will tuck fine after cutting the fenders out and what not but the back looks like it might be a problem. I was talkin to a friend of mine and he said that if i were to get an 8.8 ranger rear end instead of the stock one, it would be a shorter axel and my rims would tuck easier. Is this true, and I was just wondering where is the best place to find the 8.8 rear?