Then get a dana 60 because the dana 44 isn't a huge upgrade over a dana 30. Same weak 260x ujoints (depending on the D30 you are getting a bigger 297x) both have a 1.38" pinion. Only big strength difference is the inner shafts which are smaller on the D30 and both ARB and yukon offer 30 spline lockers that bring you to better than D44 strength. That leaves the ring gear as being smaller/weaker run a decent 4.56 gear keeping a good sized pinion and you won't see very many gears stripping out. The EB D44 is a rare but useless upgrade vs a D30 the only D44 that is worth it would be the F250s D44HD, bigger thicker tubes stronger ujoints etc. At that point you are already looking 8 lug go get a dana 60 and get rid of all the strength issues all together.
Jesus Christ..... another Dana30 advocate. Look I'm all for using a D30 if it suits your need, but trying to make it an axle that it is not..... well, I don't know why people do that.
For starters... if you're buying an EB44, and putting it into your wheeling rig to run stock, you're an idiot. The D44, be it EB, Waggy, F150, F250 is better than any D30 you can get, period.
Cheaper to build
stronger, in all fashions, LP or HP.
hub/wheel bearings
easier to hi-steer
Also, you talk about upgrading from a D30 to a D44 not being a real upgrade. These trucks didn't come with D30's, therefor you're not "upgrading" from a D30... you're choosing a D30 or a D44. 10 out of 10 times the D44 is the better choice. Some people just don't want to be patient and wait for the deals to come across, which is fine, because the D30 might work out well for them. Still, even in a jeep with a D30, the 44 is a significant upgrade if you cannot afford/find 1-tons.
I wheeled with this guy quite a bit when we were stationed together, and I can assure you a D30 would never survive under this ZJ