The only way I'd buy a crank with a Mopar sized rod journal would be if I already had a very good set of rods and the budget didn't allow for a new set. My 4" crank has 2.100" journals and the 4.125" has 2.00". It not only opens up rod and bearing choices it also reduces the amount of block clearancing required to clear the rods and helps with oil pick up tube clearance.
I don't know what was wrong with the heads that Rod was selling and I have no first hand experience with them so I won't speculate or play arm chair quarterback. I will say this, in the dealings I've had with Rod he's been nothing but first rate. Brett Miller has his hands in some very fast small block mopars and knows what he's doing. I spoke with him several times when I was planning my 434 build and he's a sharp guy, he kept me out of the ditch a couple times.