If it comes to that I will be checking in for verification as I go. Do I need any special tools?
Ya sure is expensive, I see all of the US prices for everything and it just makes me sick.

 

As it turns Out there there is a small allowable amount of play in the slip yoke. I independently verified this on the chevy forums as well as they use the very same transfer case.
The vibration is the right front wheel bearing starting to go. It has no play but when they run it up on the rack with the wheels in the air they can feel it comming from the hub assembly.

 

what is the front output bearing and what does it look like