Well to swap in an 8.8 you are going to need a 1310 companion flange... yes some explorers came with the 1330.. you just need to worry about the 1310.
Also you can weld as manay perches as you want on your axle.. after all it is your axle. Jeff and I just did a SOA on his rig, and his was a MJ d44, so we welded perched parrallel to those and called it good.
Jeff and I realized this when we did his soa.. that with stock tires your rims are real close to the frame in the rear, and with an 8.8 would be even closer, so wheel spacers would almost be a must.
Just remember to ser your pinion at the same angle as your t-case pinion (without sye) and with SYE point it towards it