Broken diff repairable?

[Lawrence]

Hi guys. I had some cracks on my front diff housing a couple months ago. I haven't four wheeled in a while so I had plans to weld up the cracks recently. Anyway, I went on off road recently (not bad enough to need four wheel drive). By the time I reached my destination, I came out and saw the front wheels were pointing in a slightly different direction. I checked the diff and saw a huge crack on top and on the bottom by the passenger side tube right beside the pumpkin. I hobbled to a welding shop later in the day.

Question is: if welded properly, will it be good enough to keep the diff or will I have to source another? They are not common here.

[Lawrence]

Btw it's an 89 GQ wagon. My mechanic who has worked on Patrols for years says he has never seen anything like this. In his estimation I should replace it as soon as possible. However I have also heard that if it is properly welded, it can last the life of the vehicle.

[GUtripper]

So the cracks are actually on the pumpkin, where the axle tube is pressed in?
Seems a strange place.
Personally, Id think finding another bare housing may be a better option.
But you could get it welded and braced to stop it reoccurring.

[CRUZAAMAD]

Get it welded
get him to use the stick on it
handles the oil contamination better than mig

just keep an eye on it and should be fine

[Lawrence]

Thanks guys. Getting some shocks tomorrow as shocks had nothing left. Could have been the cause of the crack. They totally lost it after the incident.