damn that feels good!! never discount the mood elevating properties of a successful engineering/wrenching session!! I bought a couple of 24 mm snap rings after work, jacked up the back of the truck, put it in 4 hi and ran it. This got the front axle spinning along nicely so I could dremel out a new groove for the 24 mm snap ring. Cleaned everything up, lubed and reassembled. Test drove it in a friend's snowy back 40 and it works like a charm!! The real test will be tomorrow when the white stuff comes down heavy!! Can't wait!! Thanks so much for the frugal solution. I'm sure glad I didn't have to buy that axle and this got me 4x4 ready fast for the big snow! Later, Gang!

JD