My opinion, since you live where you have no need to be in 4wd on hard ground such as pavement you should be fine with a welded diff.
Some people will say it will break, but then some people can break a crow bar in a sand box.
I would definitely use manual hubs.


Cheers, Charlie
If It ain't broke, Modify it!
87 Montero turbo Converted back in Spring1989
95 Montero SR 3.8 DOHC Only one?
93 Pajero 3 door 6G75 Mivec with paddle shifted 5 speed
Then a Gen2 SR with full coil independent suspension.