What a great day for me!
My Ford Truck (which my son drives for the next 2 months till he ships out to the military would not start.
I go look at the truck when my son calls. Wouldn't turn over only a tapping noise at the relay/solenoid (more of a relay) on the side of the truck by the battery. My son failed to tell me for the past couple of weeks the truck has had trouble starting and was making a funny noise when turning over! Right away I thought starter. I humored myself and tried to jump it with my other truck. Didn't work. So.......

Today I went to a couple of scrap/junk/pick n pull yards. I'm lucky in that I live within a 5 mile radius of about 15 large auto junk yards! (East side of Fort Worth, Texas.)

I was looking for a starter, but was also keeping my eyes out for a 3g 130 amp alternator. I found several 3g 130 amp alternators right away! Problem is: mine is a side mount and these were not. Also, some of the side mounts were on Taurus' and too much of a hassle and time in light of I need to replace that darn starter.
Victory number 1 ! Found a 3g 130 amp reasonably accessible on a 95 Econoline! Paid only $30USD with 1 year warranty!
Went to junkyard number 2. Plenty of starters like what I need. But they just didn't look good. Finally found a starter on a 94 F150 Auto 5.0 with 182k miles that look in halfway decent condition. Removed it and paid $25USD with 1 year warranty and $7USD core charge if I choose to bring the other one in.
Took the starter to my truck at my son's apartment and had it installed within 15 minutes. Voila! Truck started right up! Victory number 2!!!

I'm keeping the other starter and am going to rebuild it as a back up. I had called around, went to RockAuto (One of my favorites) ebay, craigslist, Local starter/generator rebuild shop, and every wanted at least $90USD with tax. And I couldn't wait on RockAuto or ebay even though they offered at $80USD with shipping.

I found this website: Alternator starter Rebuild Kits to rebuild kits for the new 3g 130 amp alternator and starter!

Also, double checked: and Alternator will be a perfect plug and play + adding the 2 gauge charge cable and fuse! I will test the alternator before rebuilding and will rebuild only when necessary.

Not a bad day for $60USD with warranties!
Plenty of parts I saw today for our trucks!
Also, I didn't realize how many trucks with both diesel and 5.8 and above come with the 95 amp alternators!
Another interesting thing: the junkyard was full of 4.9 with standard transmissions! (I would've figured more of these were still on the road?)