Ya the desert destroys rubber and plastic, but the frame and body are like new, besides all the rubber parts are serviceable, when looking for your next old vehicle check the desert south west first....
Front is ok to leave disconnected in my experience. The rear needs removed completely, as I could damage components if left with one side disconnected.
You in Reno by chance? Just curious because I've never seen your ride around town. Also I run with the front sway bar completely off, rides great. I have the eibach coils up front without any armor so you can't really tell that it's disconnected. I can still corner at good speeds but off road it flexes much better. Now if I disconnect the rear it gets scary on road but super flex off road.