I am plating up my front differential housing to try and keep from having the catastrophic failures that seem to be prevalent in these aluminum housings.  I have posted some pics in my build diary and would like some opinions on whether I am going about this the right way.  The majority of the failure pics I've seen of the third members have been split at the snout or above the bolts that go into the main housing.  Is this the typical break points?  What about the main housings?  How do they usually break?
I am adding an extra mount on the crossmember, something like I've seen elsewhere around here.  I was also considering adding a fifth mount from the axletube down to my skidplate.  Do you guys think this is necessary?
Here's the address to my build diary.  Don't know how to link it.
http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/build-diaries-how-to-diy/'mordecai'-95-tracker-build-diary/
Thanks in advance!
Seth

Do NOT brace the housing to the skid plate/pan, that will transmitt any shocks directly to the housing when it impacts an immovable object.

A simple strap over the snout is all that is required to keep the aluminum housings and thirds happy and unbroken. With the stock mounting point, the snout is allowed to torque in a rotational plane and place sideways and rotational pressure to the snout .

I have a buddy that was forever shattering the thirds running a locker and 32's, he went with a steel third and started breaking housings. He went back to aluminum thirds but added the strap upgrade and has yet to break another third or housing.

Another option as you have aluminum welding capabilities is to add another mounting block onto the snout on the pass side of the snout and a additional mounting location on the cross member.

Do NOT brace the housing to the skid plate/pan, that will transmitt any shocks directly to the housing when it impacts an immovable object.

A simple strap over the snout is all that is required to keep the aluminum housings and thirds happy and unbroken. With the stock mounting point, the snout is allowed to torque in a rotational plane and place sideways and rotational pressure to the snout .

I have a buddy that was forever shattering the thirds running a locker and 32's, he went with a steel third and started breaking housings. He went back to aluminum thirds but added the strap upgrade and has yet to break another third or housing.

Another option as you have aluminum welding capabilities is to add another mounting block onto the snout on the pass side of the snout and a additional mounting location on the cross member.

Thanks talon!  That was a bit of my concern with mounting to the skidplate.  Thanks for helping me to decide to forego that idea!  Already working on a second cross member mount.  Got a hole placed in the cross member last night.  Going to get the bracket welded on the third member today.  I'll try and post some pics later. 
This is my first attempt at welding aluminum.  It is really pretty easy.  I'd say anybody with a DC stick welder and a little experience can learn how to get decent results with minimal practice.
Thanks for the helpful info!

I haven't heard using a DC stick for aluminum, but then I only weld when I need it.

Looks like you have really beefed up that housing.  The third member mount is what seems to break the most, and it sounds like you are working on that also.

I had never heard of it until recently either. It works surprisingly well. I think the welder has to be set on dc-. The rods I've used are 4043 and 26. Tractor supply sells the 4043 ones. You're supposed to preheat the metal, but I've been doing it cold and it works.

So I think I got it done tonight.  Have to test fit it again tomorrow.  Here's a few pics of the finished product.  Kind of ugly, but I think it will do the trick.