If you flip the 3rd member, you have to get reverse cut gears. Not only does it put the stress on the pressure side of the teeth (instead of the coast side) but it also helps to sling the oil to the pinion bearings that are now higher than the level of oil.

Oh, and when I said tubes, I meant knuckles. I'm in the middle of a customizing a Dana 60 for a Blazer. I get mixed up sometimes.

But yeah, can still be pricey. A Dana 44 from Jeep would still be readily available from junkyards. Just getting the one you want can be a bit tricky. Axle disconnects and vacuum actuators would be a step backwards there.