When I put it in 4x4, I was doing about 55k (35mph - sorry, don't always remember that most of the people helping are in the US! thanks neighbors
When the front end stopped me, I was doing around 50mph.
I trust the diagnosis that the diff is done, mechanic is a pretty good friend of mine. I need this truck for my work so I don't have time to try to fix it myself, especially this close to the silly season.
I heard back from the owner of the garage my buddy works at, he says that a new diff from the salvage yard is running around $850 and has to come from some other part of the province. (we get screwed on lots of stuff for prices up here in Canada) Looks like I'm running about $250 in labor but it should be done quickly and I can get back to work.
Something else I got to thinking about over the weekend but haven't had time to ask the mechs about yet; if this thing stopped this hard (although luckily I was on icy road so it slid), would it be likely that there would be other damage? That must have been a helluva shock to the transfer case, no?
I'll keep you posted as to what happens.
G