Budget rear diff option?

[Rede]

I was told earlier today that my rear diff REALLY needs a total make over with axle tube seals, new bearings, new yoke (busted and seized ujoint band bolt) and of corse it needs brakes and parking/ebrake as well...

I don't have a ton of options here as far as parts locally for sale and I'm really living on a very small budget to finish my Gen6 454/TH400 swap into my 82 K20.

Right now, my options are:

1) Spend 500 bucks on most of the parts that I need except brake pads, drums and cabel..then hope to hell I know enough to tackle a rebuild myself.

2) Drop 800 (which I don't have) to get a shop to rebuild my diff correctly.

3) Struggle at a salvage yard to dig out a crusty 1970's 10.5" FF 14bolt from a wreck and hope to hell it doesn't need a rebuild.



Orrrr.... look outside the chev diff lineup?
I have a buddy with a 10.25" sterling FF diff that would likely sell for cheap and maybe even help my with the install, but I haven't a clue as to what I'd need to do. Well besides the obvious like match gear ratios with my D44 front diff and likely something with the spring perches...but beyond that, this is foreign territory.
I'll be calling to discuss price and take some measurements tomorow to see what te diff looks like and how it compairs...


My budget is like 500 bucks, tops and there is nothing advertized locally on kijiji and the usual classified places.
There was a D70 out of a dually, totally complete for 250 bucks in southern alberta, but I don't think a dually diff would work. Or am I mistaken?