Have you considered a narrowed Ferd Explorer 8.8 rear end? Piles of those in wreckers. I got a 97 rear with posi, complete with good pads, an extra passenger axle (in order to narrow the rear), and cables for $120 at my wrecker. 5x4.5” bolt pattern.
If you are a decent enough welder or have a capable buddy, narrowing one of these rears is a very good option. I did this in my wife’s 62 Rambler American. 56.5” WMS TO WMS if you’re curious.
