Technically a bit too wide- basically E body width. '96-'98 V8 Grands have the 44as. '99-up was the new bolt pattern and I think those axles are almost 3" wider than the old ones. Technically if you were savvy enough to spot on 44 in a YJ or an XJ, that'd be a better bet than the 44a due to width.
Pretty sure that's for an 8.8, technically don't think you'd have to for a 44a. But you'd have to add perches to go leaf, and if swapping from a 7.25 couldn't reuse them.
Sure seems like if you can break an 8.25, an 8.75 is just as liable to. Lots of cheap gearsets but while some 8.75s have the crush sleeves- all 8.25s do.