Optimally I'd like to rebuild, but I currently don't have the setup to do so due to the level of complexity as you mentioned. I think buying a used one and doing an axle swap might be my best bet. My truck is a 4x2 with a 9.25 axle. I THINK my gear ratio is 3.92... if I do a swap with a 3.55, will that work? I don't do any towing with it so I'm not concerned about having the beefiest thing.

 

Your speedometer will be wrong, but, aside from that, should work just fine. Not sure how rare the 3.92 gear option was, but, ideally, that's what ya wanna find. If you can't, then, do what ya gotta do.

 

If you go the junkyard route, open them up before hauling them home. Went through this last year on a 9.25 for my '03 OffRoad. Hauled one back to the yard under warranty, which they honored no problem. Opened it at home, had metal shards attached to internal magnet. Pieces of limited slip plates looked like, the concave ones at the outside.
Next two, opened at the yard. Same, same. Yard man got frustrated, as in ' what did I expect for used?' Gave me my 600USD told me to look elsewhere.
Just an observation. Rebuilt mine.

 

I caused my own problem, pretty sure. Had it partially apart couple years ago, when I trashed an axle bearing. Got it stuck in snow with chains back of my property last year. Worked it pretty good. Pinion nut walked a bit or was not set right, pounded out the crush sleeve, don't know. Started making noise last Spring. Had to replace loose yoke as well as full rebuild gearset and all.