yeah dude, junkyards are a savior.
I know they catch a bad wrap for some reason.
But i've replaced tons of parts on my mustang with junkyard parts, they worked WAY better than the crapped out stock parts i had.
NEVER had a single problem with any junkyard parts ever.
Often times parts are interchangable with newer models, so you can pick up a tranny or rear end from a newer vehicle and it will function much better than the original, and be alot newer.
I see no shame and going to a junkyard, you wouldn't believe the deals you can get in some of those places.
I was good buddies with a few junkyards, and most of the time, if I was buying something, they would let me scrap extra parts off of the car for FREE....whatever i wanted.