I agree but if he is just running 33s and light trail riding building a 44 would be overkill. If I had it to do again I would not build another 44. I would build a 60 but it's all in what you do with it.

 

all broncos and most fords after 79 had the crappy TTB d44, so stay away.
78 and 79 were the only years with full width straight axle 44s.

as mentioned, some early broncos had drum brakes and small spline shafts with the small 260 joints. just gotta do some homework before you buy the wrong axle.

 

Also keep in mind if you go full width in 78 and 79 a lot of the 44s have cast wedges which means thinner tubes and you can't cut the wedge off so it takes a bit more fab.

 

Those were in the full size Broncos, so he will not be looking for those. He wants to stay narrow