Thanks for the info. I think I'll stick with the toyota just for the ease if nothing else. I would go D60 but it's my DD and I think the extra weight wouldn't help mpg. Someday though... I'm not sure what year the D44 was from, but another interesting thing they had at the shop was a closed knuckle D44. Never seen one of them before. It was under a Jeep J-400 pickup.
I'm slowly acquiring parts for my buildup. Already put the FRORF frame brace on, got a winch (still working on bumper) and an e-locker rear diff w/ 5.29's. Can't wait to have it all together!