From everything I've read (and I believe Jim Allen has said it) the D44 and the yota are very similar in strength, so that part is a wash. However, just for the sake of keeping things the same, I would put the yota axle in the front and fill it with a v6 third to match your rear, then if you ever had a catastrophic problem with the rear you could swap them and still drive the truck. Also, you could use the yota e-locker thirds if you were ever inclined. My .02

83 4x4, 3" Lift, 33" Buckshot Mudders