Welding it is just plain scary.
Sure it's cheap, and it could last a lifetime, but no way is it for everyone. Plus, welding the front (without hubs) is worst. Driveability in 4WD must be a bear.
Now if you throw so much weld in there, what if you do bust an axle? How do you get that thing out of there? I've seen people throw as much weld as they possible can. And can you really weld a C-clipped axle?
1. Weld it for next to nothing
2. Lock-right, Aussie locker, or Quick-lock for really cheap
3. limited slip (Auburn, Gleason, Trac-lok) for a bit more
4. Locker for even more money
5. Selectable for the most money.
I'll personally label them
1. cheap
2. decent
3. sometimes works (rebuildable)
4. dependable
5. most expensive, but worth it