Wow--$1400! I'd be shopping JYs hard before laying down that kind of cash, I think.

Here's search results from car-part.com:

http://www.car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi

There are dozens of 231's within a few miles, from $200 and up.

I would think that any impact hard enough to do that kind of damage would have totaled the truck--there is only so much one can do to repair a unibody "frame" that has bent.

I know there are differing opionions about SYEs on small lifts, but even a 3" lift DOES change the drive-line angle and can put more stress on the transfer case. I think a couple hundred bucks for an SYE (or $30 for a drop bracket) is cheap insurance (just MHO, of course).

In any case, hope to see it back on the road soon!