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It's hard to say without knowing how bad the shaking is. There are many dangers to taking such an old car on a long trip before you've had the chance to go thoroughly through it. But by saying "dangers" I mostly mean things that could leave you stranded, not things that will cause you to swerve out of control and crash into a brick wall. And if your front end was allowed to go bad, chances are the previous owner didn't maintain it very well.
For bare bones safety in winter make sure: brakes are solid, tires are good and inflated properly, front end problem isn't too extreme, wiper blades are new and both wipers and washer work well, defrosters (front and rear) work, and your seat belts are in order. In the winter I wouldn't even consider driving to the grocery store without these things, let alone a long trip.
Consider taking the car to a shop (even one of those quick service stations at a gas station) to have them balance the front tires, or all four if you're flush. It'll be inexpensive and quick, and could by itself stop the shaking that you are experiencing. Nine times out of ten, shakes in the front end at highway speeds are simply a matter of tires out of balance. Looseness in the front end - ball joints, bushings, etc. - cause the clunks that you hear, but it is usually out of balance tires that cause the shaking. If the shaking isn't extreme, the torn boot isn't an urgent problem, but it certainly contributed to the ball joint's gradual demise, and will continue to do so.
There are many sources of front end clunking in a 240, so don't be surprised if replacing the ball joint doesn't completely solve your front end looseness.
Make sure you have a spare FP relay, or take the time to resolder the one on the car before you go. And check your battery and alternator connections. Do this much at least.
Does your timing belt cover have a number written on it for the mileage that it was last changed? I'd hate to be a long way from home if I didn't know the timing belt wasn't going to snap on me.
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