Dana 44's are a stonger axle. That's the problem with owning an off road vehilce, the vicious circle of lifting the vehicle, get larger tires, start pushing a little harder off road, finding more and more reasons to upgrade and build stronger. Not that there's anything wrong with that! It can run into money down the road, but hey...what are we working for any way. Buld that truck up I say! Have fun and enjoy it. I did! Just do your research and you won't find yourself being drawn into a money sucking hobby. I have always upgraded to a point to serve my needs, a little more lift for clearnce, regearing for better off road performance. It all depends on how much to plan to do with the vehicle. You may be able to get by with a completely stock 4X4, it's all up to youy. I've seen guys go off roading with a 2 wheel drive pick up that had a "posi" rear end in it, and go through just as much stuff as a 4X4 did. If you are looking into a Jeep, go to the Jeep forums on line and read up a little, it will answer a lot of questions.