Will it be a daily driver also?
I know on my XJ the D35 3.55 was ok I drove around everyday and about every other weekend in the summer I did mild wheeling with some mud and some rocks, but I sat on 31s.
Just about 90% of the Jeep people I know say that the limit to the D35 is a 31 inch tire. I carried axle shafts, and the tools to replace it in case if something did happen.
I would wheel with the 8.25, IMO it is underrated, it can support a 33 and 35 with alloy shafts easily. Also with the the 8.25 if the shaft were to break you only need to carry one because the shafts are the same size. Just because it does not say Dana does not mean it is not crap. I am going to give the 8.25 a chance on my MJ. I just cannot find a D44.