If you're wanting to run The Rubicon, Fordyce, Hell Hole, etc. don't even dick around with a Dana 30.
If you just want to play in the mud or maybe screw around out at camp far west, you'll probably be okay.....for a little while atleast.
I don't know where you have been looking for a D44 but they can be found cheap. I picked mine up for $200 and I think Wes got his for free.
Ben and Wes are both getting ready to do their SAS' soon. Ask in the NorCal chat thread if anyone has a hook up on a cheap D44.
To me a couple of hundred dollars isn't worth the headache and hassle of worrying about when my axle will fail and having to make a trail repair and trying to limp home on a trail repair.
-Jester