I hear you Tom, I will be spending the bucks on a good clutch for sure, and I'm still undecided on the rear.

The Dana vs 8.75 would be an easier choice if I had a good 8.75 center cection and axles already (which I don't).

Doing the math on a fresh 8.75 center section with good parts and new gears plus axles (plenty tough combo I'm sure) as compared to an all new Dana 60, there wouldn't be a huge difference in price, and the Dana would just about bullet proof. The extra weight of the Dana is a non issue, especially where it's located, the only negative I can see is gear swapping.