Things D44 has over Toy:
- Better turning radius
- Width (lots of options)
- Cheap maintenance parts ($15 calipers from NAPA, etc.)
- parts availability (just about every parts store and 4wd shop stocks D44 parts)

Depending on your tire size, you only get the better turning radius if you run a wider axle, as abnormaltoy kind of mentioned. In my case, the 37's have room to spare.

Similarities:
- strength (although you'll probably never bend a D44 housing)
- overall cost to build

Toy advantages:
- Its Toyota <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
- 3rd memeber design/swapabilty
- kingpin knuckle design, although steering arms still get ripped off occasionally.
- Easier to throw under a Toy since there are so many "kits" for it (mainly the steering is easier to set up).

Hybrid:
Good:
- width? (optional)
- turning radius
- 3rd members
Bad:
- extra cost/complexity

Also, the gear ratio issue isn't really an issue. TONS of people are running 5.29/5.38 gear combos without any problems. Your tires scrub far more in 4wd during a turn than they will from the 1.7% difference in gear ratios.

Don't get me wrong, I love Toy stuff. I just like the D44 front better than the Toy front. Most of it is just personal preference. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/coolg.gif" alt="" />