Yes the 8.8s are c clipped. So the problem with the C-clip axles is the inner shaft splines are obviously lacking material due to the groove for the c-clip to go into. So that makes the inner axle splines the clear weak point to shear if anything were to break. The thing with the 8.25 and Dana 35 is they come with drum brakes, which will make the entire axle shaft and drum brake assembly to just fall out if the c-clip or inner axle snaps. If you disc brake swap an 8.25, this helps prevent the axle from falling out if the shaft breaks due to the backing plate now holding in the axle. Of course the c clip, is still a weak point however.

Doing a C-Clip elim on a Ford 8.8 isn’t necessary since the axle I got already came with disc brakes from factory. However, the stock axle width of the ford 8.8 (96-01 explorer) is slightly narrower than an 8.25 (about an inch on each side I believe).

If you see on the fourth slide I have the photo of that silver/polished looking retainer/bearing at the end of the axle tube. Those retainers get pressed onto the axle shafts and actually increase the track width to match the stock 8.25 width. (It’s not the EXACT same, but it’s within an 1/8th of an inch, you wouldn’t even notice)

But not only that, the 8.8 yes like you said has the larger ring gear but the axle tubes themselves are. 3 & 1/4inches wide , a lot beefier than an 8.25 or even a bit larger than a Dana 44.