Buggered PTO winch - weld it ?

[a simple lawyer]

The PTO winch on my Toyota BJ 70 is very very worn. Is it a good idea to weld up the spline shafts ? (CV's still good). Need to drill out and fit oversize mild steel shear bolt, but hopefully will be able to get some more life out of it yet. Yes I know that if I weld up the shafts the next weakest point will break - which is fine - weld that bugger too ! as i can't afford to replace it. (which means I told the misses I won't need to spend too much on my new truck). Only a "little" lie...)
Good idea ?

[muddy]

I assume you're talking about the PTO driveshaft splines at each end - one on the transfer case output, the other at the winch. If you weld them up, there will be no play when the chassis flexes or the engine/gearbox/transfer case flexxes on the mounts. So you're likely to bend the PTO driveshaft and/or crack the PTO output casing on the transfer case, and/or break the shear pin with the forwards/backwards stress rather than the rotational force.

The shear pin can definitely be strengthened - I know of one welded up with no problems. The Toyota winch is pretty strong! I've drilled mine out and run a 6mm grade 12 bolt...

[a simple lawyer]

Thanks for that. If I weld everything up the only place I can see for any forwards or backwards flex is the shaft going into the PTO transfer box, which does allow a little movement behind the shaft.
It is too worn to safely use at it is now , so I think I will get the welder out.
Cheers. Paul.