that waggy sounds like your best option. can't you find a shop to strip it at? like a buddy or something? then just get it hulk hauled away. use the 6 lug axles and buy new rims? if you get it, i'll buy the exhaust manifolds and front leaf springs from you.

if you do get it, the spindles will be wrong for the 5 on 5.5 conversion using ford f150 parts so you would need to buy spindles too. probably cheaper to get new rims and stay 6 lug. the axleshafts should interchange between your two 44 rears but i'm not sure. CSP?

53" between the backing plates = 59-60" between the wheel mounting surfaces.