Everyone's opinion for rear end to go with?

IMHO, by the time you had an 8 3/4 strong enough to live, you will have more money in it than a dana from strange/Dr diff. And then, if it doesn't live, you've just thrown the money away.
Lots of power, lots of weight, stick shift? Dana, 1000%. Pick the right gear, and you won't have to worry about changing them.