A D44 rear isn't pointless if you come across a Rubi axle set. Sure it's only a slightly larger ring gear, but with infinitely more gear/carrier options than our 8.25.

Then again, if you're doing a build like this, might as well get something that can take the weight of a XK with the torque of a 5.7L in 4low....I'm still in an east-coast mindset and have to remind myself of some of the fun the west-cost guys have lol