Ya you definitely want to put a good weld between the center and the axle tubes. They're good axles/housings, but that's they're one big downfall in stock form.
I was going to say the 8.8 is stronger...but Bounty proved it so already. If you want an 8.8 with disks, 1995 and newer explorers have them and are, at least around here, really common. 90-94 have the 10" drums.
WD-40 will probably take it off. Never tried on one of them plastic windows, so I can't guarantee it won't hurt it. Just try a little section in the corner first.
Got to love Jeeps!! I rear-ended someone in my Jeep going about 35 after they pulled out right in front of me...and the results were about the same. My Jeep had a tiny little scuff mark in the paint on my bumper I had just made.
Ya around here they're sending the rigs to the wrecking yards, which is totally fine with me!!
Most of the wrecking yards I go to are now back to being fully stocked:D