I'm thinking packaging was the criteria for loading the suspension with the whole drive line.
In the '50s it wasn't too uncommen for shortening up the Ford driveline to the U-joint -had to be six spline -at the trans thus having the engine and trans hooked to the early Ford or quickchange center section input. The FRONT axle wishbone was used and attched to a pivot on the frame with the engine trans and the attached rear end now encapsulated in that package. It used a stock-type Ford rear cross spring for suspension, if you follow, on the r engine modified roadsters of the day.
An alternative today might be to turn the engine and transmission around and take a drive off the trans that would be now the FRONT over to the left or right alongside the rear-facing motor to an offset pinion on the rear housing.
You would avoid the complexity of U-jointed half shafts.The shaft off the trans past the engine has U joints of course, and you could devise most any kind of live axle linkage as required.
Been done a few times.