yah, ability to shift into 4x4 on the fly when you didn't think you'd ever need to has saved me a long walk a couple of times.
the front ends don't give much problems at all. when in 2wd they disconnect the diff somehow (i've never bothered to read into it... there's a vaccuum pot on the side of the front diff to do it, though)
99 times out of 100, if the solenoids give grief you can swap a couple of hoses over to engage it to get you back into 4x4 again. win.
extra drag of jsut the cv shafts spinning (front prop shaft doesn't) i shant think would add fook all. if you've got poerished as fook cv boots is may not help them last any longer but if they get to that stage you should replace them anyways.
got this bighorn at my place now. it's parked next to my pajero. eyecrometer tells me that the pajero has a shitload more clearance under the box. it's tucked nicely up in the chassis rails and doesn't hang down at all. the bighorn's transfer case hangs down a good 6 or 8 inches lower, and is by far the lowest point on the vehicle. can't be a good thing! both are stock vehicles, although the pajero is a swb and the bighorn a lwb. Both are on really similar height tyres too. from that alone I'd say if they where both the same wheelbase then the pajero would kick it a lot further in the bush without getting stuck
the bighorn has heated recaros and shit though. wouldn't mind those!
Goes bloody well IMO never had any major issues and is a little rocket ship. 180 odd ks. 
