I work for a Tractor-Trailer dealership in Syracuse and there's 3 shops just in 'cuse that specialize in drivetrain. I imagine there's a ton where you are. Thing is these shops don't have a service garage. They mainly deal with heavy-duty drivetrains but they can get anything. They'd be a LOT cheaper than going to a performance shop and dropping off your truck! The catch is that you'd have to remove your axle (not really a big deal) and take it to them. They'll gear it, lock it, refurbish it whatever you want and you don't have to pay for any extras since they're only dealing with the axle or tranny or transfer case. They also are likely to do a much better job since gears and driveshafts and such are all they deal with everyday. Many people (aside from heavy-duty mechanics..... and 4x4 and performance shops for that matter since these shops are where the go to buy parts) don't know about these shops but they're there.
In Syracuse we have "U-Joint", "NY Drivetrain", and "Transaxle".
Another overlooked service that's definately everywhere is spring shops. There's two spring shops in the Syracuse area. "Allied Spring" and "Fulton Spring". Both of these shops have service bays and tons of services that people pay a ton for at a 4x4 shop or online. I recently got a set of degree shims and center bolts for a whopping $13. And also I got longer u-bolts and pins for a total of $22. They have riser blocks in stock also and they can build any kind of spring pack you can imagine. They also re-arch springs. They bend the u-bolts on-site and it takes only a few minutes. I just go in and say I need 4 u-bolts 1/2 inch thick x 7.5 inches long x 3 inch round and bang they go make them.
blah blah blah I know
It's good to know where you can get stuff cheap though.
RE charges a ton for u-bolts and degree shims and you have to pay shipping and wait for them to arrive when nearby someone has them on the shelf for you.
You can get alot done by looking at where the heavy-duty industry (Tractor-Trailers) buys parts and services. You can even get custom brake hoses made while you wait at certain places.
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