I use a Ford 7.5 out of an 83 Ranger. Payed $19.95 for it one weekend and ended up being a 3.45 Auburn posi. Upgraded to the 88 Aerostar 10x 2.5 rear drums and found a stud cover. Wheels are a 17x7, 5 of 4.5" bolt circle with a 42mm offset and they fit great.

Love the work on the 8.8" I had one with the 3.73 posi sitting around out of a 92 Ranger (4.0L Sport) but as you found out it was a few inch's to wide and I didn't feel like cutting all my air bag mounts and 4 link off my 7.5 so I sold it for a couple hundred bucks.