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> 1 - Does it hurt anything to run the van for an extended period of time with the driveline removed?  At least other than not having the 4WD?
No. That's basically what is done when a Syncro has a decoupler, except that the prop shaft continues to spin and be connected to the front differential, just not transfer power to the front wheels.
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> 2- Would it be better to replace then entire driveline rather than just the u-joints?  There isn't a whole lot of price difference when our vendors sell "updated" drivelines for about $525.  Which vendor drivelines do the gurus like?
Be sure that the prop shaft is balanced once the new ujoints are installed, by a good shop that has a reputation for doing that. If you don't have access to that, then it may be best to just buy a new slip yoke shaft that
WILL be balanced. Driveshafts.com in Portland, OR offers a variety of these, the one I have has the closed/ungreaseable joints, which they say will last that way for 100K miles.

bob