8 3/4" from a 1/2 Ton P/U or Van For "A" Body

DaveBonds said
Even the axles are excellent to use.

Unlike the C body axles, they do not have the drop size step toward the end and you can pay to have them cut and resplined. You'll end up with large bolt pattern if you do, but a lot of people go that way for disc brake conversions anyway.

I know someone in Colorado who will cut and spline them for $75 a pair, so you can use the housing, axles and buy new flanges for your brakes and relocate the spring pirches.

I don't live in a rural area and I'm doing it on the '73 to save money.

I think the pickups & vans use a 5" lug circle...you'd need to have the lug pattern redrilled for car brakes, and maybe the axle flanges turned down to fit inside the drums. Not saying it can't be done, but at that point, you might be better off just buying new axles.

However...for a narrow A-body, couldn't you have the common B-body shafts shortened & resplined? I have never been to a swap meet that didn't have at least a couple guys selling those!