shortening a rear axle?

So a while back I got a Dana 60 for free. Here's the catch it was in an old 68 international so it's a semi floating 3/4 ton axle. the backing plates on the housing are a little over 53" face to face. I can get a 52" overall length cutting them off. From what I've read an abody rear is a little over 51" at the backing plates. I'd like to shorten the rear slightly for a pair of 15x10 5.5" backspacing Bassett race wheels. So I was wondering what your suggestions on width would be?