I tried reading up on old posts and is it that its not possible or its very difficult? The one I'm looking at has ladder bars and coil over spring brackets. How hard would it be to mount the torque arm (I think I read it is difficult). How much wider is this rear end?

 

All but impossible.

This belongs in the "If you have to ask...." category. If you knew what it would take, you'd be ANSWERING posts on here about it, not asking.

Width isn't much different; the 2nd gen is about 2" narrower on each side IIRC. Easy to make up with wheel selection or spacers. Among the least of the problems.

 

basically, it is more work than it is worth. Unless you are very good at custom fabrication and welding, it's just not cost effective. Even then you better be starting w/ a built 8.5"er that you got for free.