L@@king for a 8 3/4 help!!

A body 8.75s are getting tough to find for sure. Expensive too, AND they need work. Here is what I've done to solve the problem for my "next" one.

Buy an E body housing. Available for about $75. Go to a local axle shop OR Moser and have it cut down. If you reuse the ends, you can save $90. Most shops are ~ $125 to do it. Now you are at $200 for the housing. A set of Axles with green bearing for $300, now you are at $500. Now you need backing plates and drums 10x2.5 avaible just about anywhere. Even 5th Ave, or diplomat 7.25 rears can be used, the 7.25 use large 3" tubes on the ends, so the backing plates are the 5 holer's you need. lets say $50 at the pick and pull. Total: $350. 3rd member: now here's the trick. A bodies can use 741s IMHO for street use (not slicks at the track) <350HP? go with a 489. Open case? $150. SG rebuilt? $500. So I'd say you are looking at $850 total.