8 3/4 chunk math - sticker shock

So, I have been looking for a used 742 case with 3.55s and a clutch type sure grip for a year plus....guess that's the holy grail of rears cause I aint found one local or distant.

Have found a lot of variations , most being open and the wrong gears.

Have found 489 units as well, same situation, plus I dont want the cone type suregrip which limits me there.

And with all of them so far....a $500-700 price tag.

The other issue? The math.

Seems like buying a used one will result in a $1200 or so bill....after initial cost plus the parts to make it what I want.

So have been looking at buying a unit from Dr Diff.

He is recommending a new nodular iron 489 with the crush sleeve eliminator, US gear 3.55 gearset and the 1350 style pinion yoke, with an eaton truetrac unit because the repro clutch style sure grips are on national backorder right now for months....$1375

All in all, what sounds to be a stout chunk and likely overkill for my tweaked 318/727 setup. I do plan to eventually go to a higher HP motor, so it wont be wasted.

Basically, seems like it is only about $100 more than competitor 742/7260/chinese gear/ clutch type suregrip units...and locally rebuilding a used unit that needs new gears and a suregrip added is about the same cost...so might as well go the more stout way, right?

I am still recovering from sticker shock, but I am leaning the Dr Diff way.

Any thoughts? I currently have 2.76 open gears in a 741 case.....