Outer Limits 4x4 Board

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.

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.

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.

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

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.