can i get a rear end from.....

You're right about the width in Cherokees being about the same as B-bdy, but measure to be sure. Not sure if you'll have to change the mounts or not, again measure. Some of the Cherokees had an aluminum center section as well. They also have the same 5x4-1/2" bolt pattern.

Personally, I'm planning on using a Dakota 3.55 Sure Grip rear I already have in an early A-bdy.

The plan is to narrow it to the needed length, still to be determined by wheel/tire combo. I'll do a C-clip delete by using 8-3/4" / Dana housing ends so I can use the tapered axle bearings which carry so much more side load.

The main draw for this for me is that all Dakotas (I don't know about Jeep products) had a reluctor ring in the housing for RWAL (rear wheel anti-lock) brakes. In the earlier Daks, this is a stand alone system. Search for the pair of articles by Ehrenberg a few issues back on how to incorporate this into your vintage ride.

The earliest Daks (up to '91?) were 5 lug. Up to '96, they were 27 spline and if posi used an Auburn 3 series carrier. In '97, they became 29 spline and used Trac Loc series 3 carriers.

I don't know yet if there is enough meat on the axle shaft to shorten and respline them, or if I'll need custom axles, or to find some other axles to rework.

All I've read says the 8-1/4" is plenty strong for street use. In fact, I've heard of people running in the 10's on slicks without problems.

Mike in FL