8.25 to 8-3/4 or nah!??

The Dana 44 reputation for off road use is due to the specific use, and comparing the Dana 44 or any axle in off-road use to street use is not a good comparison IMO. The super large wheels and tires used in off road, put a LOT more torque load on any axle, and the wheels get stuck between rocks and add to peak torque loads on the axles, and the axle loading includes pushing a 2+ ton truck's weight up a 45* angle. Add that to gearing and engines that produce as much or more torque into the axle as any common performance street engine.

So, I don't look to off-road experience to understand likely paved street axle experience, or for road race or rally; they all produce very different torque loads on the axles. Those off-road guys can/do break any axle that will survive forever on a drag strip behind 500-600 HP....