I for one jus take the centre shaft out for some 2wd fun. I believe the slipper is there to take some of the back lash out of the drive train. Seeing as CEN put the slipper in there, I guess it is best to run with it in, not that Ive had any breakages in "cheap" 2wd.

Losing the front diff and shafts would lose a fair bit of weight, which can only be good, so long as it still steers.

Id like to know about the shaft though too.