Yeah that'd work too! haha but it'd be better if all four gears were in there to have a little more welded surface area... it'd also suck on turns on dry pavement...
Well ya better fish around in there lol!! Either that or someone took it out after they heard it clinking around in there and decided they didn't need it haha, how long has he had the truck?
Yeah either its stuck in there in a few pieces or the previous owner pulled it out and sold it before it grenaded haha, its really no big deal as long as there's seriously no damage elsewhere, ring, pinion, bearings etc.