here's another "bad place" for rod ends
www.bostongear.com
They also have the little cardan U-joints, and linear bearings I need for my shift rod.
Here's the "bad place" to get aluminum piping for braces,
www.onlinemetals.com
I figured I could build a Kafer Cup brace for $175 and a strut tower brace for $20 with their prices.