gear box bit the dust/options?

[brent]

The huge puddle of power steering fluid under the truck was the tipoff. (Geeez, aren't I getting better?)
Hoses okay, lots of play in gear box, seal probably blown. Used three pints just keeping it on the road.
Mechanic quoted me $200 part/$200 labor=$400 he ain't gettin.
I figure my best option is to go to the jeep graveyard in the AM, try to buy a used for $75 or so, and install it myself.
If this is my best option, what else do I need to know? The quote mechanic gave me included $75 for "thrust balance", so what's involved with that? Thanks, Brent

[Joel Baker]

I bought a new gear box from Advance Auto Parts for about $130 and installed it myself. I had to pay a guy $10 to remove the pitman arm from the old one and put it on the new one. I don't have a clue what the mechanic was talking about.