[Brad54]

There's no reason in the world to get rid of a Dana 44.
They are the longest-running production vehicle in US, going back to '53 Studebakers. They've been in EVERYTHING from Checker cabs to Vipers and Corvettes. They're still in production today in Jeeps and Fords.
Ring gears in dozens of ratios are readily available, and Jeep guys get rid of 3-series posi units for cheap.
I've got one in my '62 Suburban with 3.42 gears, a Jeep posi and 4spd OD manual trans (with the same gear splits and OD as a 700r4, and am putting front and rear 44s in my '62 K10, probably with 3.55 or 3.42 gears and another 4spd OD.