advice on traction device

[dla]

Here are some axles from a "mint" 1996 Explorer 8.8 - this is classic:

Passenger side -

Drivers side -

Owner thought this low-mile axle was in excellent shape

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Here are some axles from a "mint" 1996 Explorer 8.8 - this is classic:

And the OP's current axle is two years older than that with smaller and weaker bearings. It would really suck to buy a new carrier for a 7.5 and then find out you have to put axleshafts in it to boot if we want to knock on using used stuff. $200 carrier plus $300 of shafts plus anything else like bearings (which are pricey as well) and you could get a chunk of money wrapped up in it pretty quick plus labor if you don't want to do it yourself.

If I was the OP I would have no problem finding either a used 7.5" carrier or whole axle and running it. Unless you can turn up a complete NOS 7.5 you are going to have to roll the dice with used parts either way... and even then new stuff breaks.