shortening 8 3/4 truck axles?

Could be a problem, all 8.75" Truck axles I know of are Pre-1974 (as far as I know 74 was the last year of the 8.75" in trucks). Pre-1974 Dodge trucks had a 5 on 5.5" Bolt Pattern. EXCEPT the 1974 Ramcharger & Trailduster, which came with the 5 on 4.5" Bolt pattern a year earlier than the Pickup Trucks.

Complety false, I have never seen a dodge with an 5.5" pattern.
I have had the following tucks and they all had the 4.5" pattern with 8.75
56 dodge
69 dodge
71 dodge