Axils
When I was buying my 4runner (98 also), my brother-in-law asked his friend who fixes and wholesales drive-shafts/axils for 4wd suv's.
I was thinking Explorer or 4runner when I was looking around, and this guy said it is a matter of fact that the axil will go on a 4runner. How does he know? Whenever a shop in the NY area needs an axil/driveshaft, they call him, cause he is the only one who wholesales them.
Also, I might have someone else, besides the dealer, look at it and give it a check-up...not fix anything, just take a look. Tell him your warranty is to expire and give him 20 bucks. If he finds something the dealer might not, then you save yourself extra money by getting it fixed for free...right?