I have always run a welded diff and i always get the same guy to weld it (havent had 1 break yet Touch wood) Its true cops dont like it i got booked for a burnout while doing a u turn in my local shops. I didnt go through tires unless i drove like a dickhead and i didnt indanger myself or anyone else unless i drove like a dickhead It comes down to how smart you are.
The locked diff acually mad my ute much safer because it didnt break into massive wheelspin goin back to third at 120kph like it did with the single spinner.
PS make sure your axles are up to it, i snap mine as if they were made of glass. cheers luke