To lock the front or not? 4x4 long travel

I am considering locking the front of my truck.
Now I have considered locking it before, but did not want to because I already had it geared. Well I just blew up the ring and pinion so I'm going to need to be in it anyways so I was thinking about doing it. I was thinking about not doing it because I will go through CV axles a lot.
I will be carrying two spare CV axles after a little while. But I don't have any spare currently. I can't just buy them because I'm long travel so I need to make them.

My truck is a dedicated wheeling rig, never sees pavement. I have never really been to where I must have a front locker to get through something. But times were definitely would've helped. Also it would have helped me a few times in the dunes when I was stuck.
I really pushed my truck and go a lot of places people wouldn't even consider taking their trucks. But have never really been to where I was like " I really wish I had a front locker!!! "
Onboard air would be really nice too. I am just looking for other peoples opinions as I'm not sure if spending $1800 is quite worth it. What do you all think?

 

Lock it if you need it and be careful using it