Ive said it before, and Ill say it again, the TRUTH lies in the middle. You have the best platform to begin with as far as D30s go (HP, and it has the SAME balljoints a D44). I think if you need more, its a waste to go to time/effort/expense of a D44, unless of course its a hybrid (D60 outers). The perfect axle, IMHO is a hybrid Ford 9/D60, killer outer strength, relatively light weight (easily rivaling that D44 you guys use), easy and strong to weld control arm mounts to, and LOTS of options these days as to gear ratios/spline counts/and pinion (hi or lo). It is also one of the only axles to get stronger as gear ratios go up (Sunray reccomends at least a 4.56 in its axles if this says anything). I think the expense would be MORE than a D44, but moderately so, when you add up everything youd have to do(shafts,joints, steering, locker, etc.), especially with Yukon Chromos being so cheap, and actually easier to get in the D60s sizes. The weak points on that 30 are gears when they are steep, and teh carrier if you run a stock one (D30s are notorious for explosion when used with a lockright or other lunchbox locker, as the center pin/carrier slop becomes greater,so do the chances for catastrophe, so keep an eye on it, I am, Ill be running an Aussie in mine!!)
PS I thought long and hard about this before I did it (even though it is considered the ultimate turd polsihing), and here was my front budget:
Warn 5 on 5.5 kit= 850 shipped(comes with EVERYTHING, I actually, after seeing it in perrson, think this is a relative bargain with what it comes with, and NO more unit bearing crap to deal with)
alloy inners=160 shipped
rotors and machining= 90
gears/master install/NEW spicer carrier=200
aussie=250 shipped
So, all in all, I have 1550 invested in mine, and all I have to add yet (havent assemble it yet, sits ready to be assembled beside the commanche) is ball joints, and I will if I can press them in with no adverse wear to the housing
