the drop down brackets save the cv's from the stress angle after lifting.
if you do not have a locker in the front, then you should be ok even with extreme wheeling. The cv's on mine are still good and I have not had a problem with my 32x11.5 Super Swampers.
Even with 33's you should be ok...only when you have a locker in the front should you be really careful...know when to use it...unless you have alot of $ to fix cv's when they go.
Alaska did you check your pm's???