The guy we deal with up here (San Jose) runs an all truck wrecking yard, and has a shop on site, he actually trades gearsets and we get a killer deal, the cheapest way is to drop off axle housings only (you pull brakes, axles, oil, etc.) saves him a lot of time, he normally turns them around in a few days if not too busy.
BTW called "Santa Clara Truck Wreckers" and ask for Bill , he's awsome.