1996 drivers door won't unlock

Hello all. I have now fallen victim to the "driver's door won't unlock". I've had a body shop I trust look at it and it seems to be the power mechanism. The little spring is fine, linkages, etc. The key simply won't open it, it acts like it's the wrong key. Pulling on the button inside won't either. It moves maybe a 1/4" with no effect. Oddly, the key will lock the passenger side but not unlock it. It's been lubed, that worked for a while, now no effect. Replacement looks to be the only recourse. BUT, this is a discontinued part and we've found no-one that has it new. A salvage had one, in a door, but won't sell without the door. Not paying for that. The lock issue is not a new one to the community, but with the parts problem, how is anyone fixing this? I've thought about pulling the power mechanism, plugging the keyhole and just having a door that will never lock again. Also considered returning it to manual lock. Both of those feel extreme, though if maybe not even possible. But crawling over to the passenger side is getting old really quick! I've searched the forum but find only the little spring/ lube the mechanism solutions.
Any ideas??