We could go round and round on this topic for months it's truly personal preference.
Here's my .02
For a Daily Driver rear axle and weekend wheeler with small tires 35' and down I would not Hesitate to run "lunch box" lockers. Are there disadvantages yes, tire squealing, clicking and the occasional pop. Can you mitigate this? Sure, throttle through corners. Advantages relative low cost and most people with basic hand tools can install them.
My personal experience with them has been good overall. I've had them in a few vehicles over the years on both the rear and front ends.. I currently have one in my 85 on the steering axle and it's not great to steer when its locked, but there are a lot of other things going on that contribute to that (double low and a rear spool leads to drive-line bind, push pull steering, 34'' super swampers).
Selectable lockers are awesome hands down no doubt that's why Toyota, Jeep, Nissan etc manufacture vehicles with them standard. For the average wheeler though it will cost you triple compared to a "lunch box" locker.
For a front locker for the 4 wheeling trips you are describing I do not think it's even worth it.
Gearing My brother and I are both running 4:56 gears. Again this was a cost saving decision as there are plenty Toyota 7.5 & 8''differentials in 4:56 out there floating around in good shape. My brothers runs 32'' TSLs on his 86 22RE (IFS). It's no speed demon but it works. I have 4:56s in my 85 22R with 34'' TSLs, the truck is a slug, but it's mostly off road and a back roads driver. With Dual cases the 4:56s are plenty with 34's. Keep in mind these are both motors that were built 30 years ago and haven't been rebuilt so they are tired. To do it over again with out a concern for money 4:88s would be the way to go but if money were no issue i wouldn't have a 85 rust bucket.
