thanks Mike. I got some advice from somebody else too, and I have a plan. there's a junkyard on my way home from work. they have a P'up like mine with rear end, and some Troopers too, with springs and rear ends. I will measure stuff.

I already know the Troopers will probably have 4.56 ratios, whereas mine is 4.10. That sounds fine, as I want to go to bigger tires and wheels anyway and I don't want to lose torque. Or if the upgrade to Trooper carrier looks too tough for my no-backup daily driver, I can get the P'up rear end and some Trooper springs, which are stiffer.