i dont really have a lot of knowledge in axle talk. Im taking it the D44 is a smaller size axle than the D60 that everyone is putting in these trucks? Is the D44 strong enough for a diesel?
I'm not super-knowledgeable in axle-talk either, but I think it's safe to say it'll work for your application. If you've got a stock IDI and aren't planning on wheelin' the **** out of your truck it should hold up just fine.
The reason the Dana 60 is such a popular upgrade for trucks such as yours and mine is they are built
really beefy stock. Also, there's enough available aftermarket support to build them to take some serious abuse.
I'm planning on swapping in a straight axle underneath the front of mine (sometime in the far-off future), and when I do, it'll be a D60.
IMO, if you're gonna spend the time and money, you might as well have the best (short of a Rockwell).