do not use a d44 with a bbc and a tire that big, it won't handle it, even with the high dollar shafts and ctm joints it will still break and the wheel bearings are too small for that weight, the cost to upgrade that 44 also would put you well into the cost of a 60 in the first place and still have weak ball joints and bearings.
if you do go passenger drop d60 there are a ton of deals around, i just saw a 93 dodge d60(same as chevy axle) for $600 this morning