Decided on Dana 60, one decision done.

So which housing? It's going to be a little narrowed (mini-tub car), but not super narrow,
it will get housing ends for drum brake backing plates. 35-spline axles.

All I know is some housings have very thick and strong tubes, and some are more than three inches diameter.
Are the center housing castings much different, other than the axle tube diameter ?

I don't think I'm opposed to tubes bigger than 3", all you need is correct spring pads and U-bolts, right ?

Right now I have a Dana housing with 2 3/4-in tubes, this is free to anyone who wants it.