You can use the hand throttle in different ways; you can use it to increase the idle speed (just a few clicks and leave it there; that way, when you lift your foot of the gas, the TB plate will remain a bit open, so the Jeep will be harder to stall). You can use it to increase engine RPM for using accessories (like when you are winching but are not inside the Jeep, or when running OBA, or just simply want to recharge the battery, but you dont want to sit there holding the gas pedal). You can use it as a redneck cruise control (it will not maintain SPEED, but it WILL leave the throttle at a specific place, so if it is flat, you can maintain speed) to give your foot a rest on long trips (oh, and yes, it is not exactly the safest way to drive, but I have used it anyway when my cruise control was acting up and I was making 600 mile trips between Panama and Costa Rica). You can also use it as a third foot, for those times when you need to have a foot on your brakes, have the clutch in, and still need to get gas to the engine to get going (like when taking off on a steep hill). It's a very cheap add on that is really practical, in my opinion. You can use a bike shifter control and make your own, or get one like the Rubicon Express one (I also run this one).
As for lockers, I think BountyHunter runs the spool with the cable disconnect; you can ask him for advice on this. But for me, there is nothing like a selectable locker. I run ARB, which are the most expensive, but they are literally invisible on the road, and make a HUGE difference offroad. The downside is that besides the lockers, you need an air compressor. Ox are simpler (in that they are cable operated instead of using air) and are about as bullet proof as the ARB. Detroit Lockers are also bullet proof, but you WILL have to learn to drive with those on... They tend to be felt when you increase or decrease the torque (press or depress the gas pedal), especially when cornering.
As for lunchbox lockers, some of them (most) use clutches, which eventually wear off. Also, they are not "true" lockers; most of them are LSD, but that does not mean that they will not give you additional traction. It's just that a true locker will give you more of it... But they will also be more expensive. It really depends on what you are looking for, and how much budget you have...
Now, removing the sway bars and track bars; they make a HUGE difference, especially if you run lifted springs. I also have a YJ (94), and I run no track bar in the rear, a telescopic one on the front (which means I can free it up for wheeling, and then lock it up when I hit the road), and sway bar discos, and they make a HUGE difference in traction when wheeling. I recommend you get some sway bar disconnects; they are also fairly cheap, and make a big difference (and you mentioned you already tossed you track bars).