The easiest and best option IMO is to do an FOC (or CD if wanted,) lock the tranny in 2nd, and remove 1st gear as its unused weight.

Motor braking or man brakes is up to you. Man brakes are easy enough, they just require a Y-cable w/ the ESC. Motor brakes require no servo, and allow reverse. You can only set brake bias if you have a CD. If you don't have a CD, rear brakes don't really do anything (other than add stopping power I guess, but not needed.)

If you are just planning to bash/jump, motor braking/rev would prob be most useful.

I've run 14-16 NIMH, and 4S&5S on a MM/8XL. 14 cells def give good power, tho I prefer 4S lipo for weight, punch and runtime. 5S on 8XL is nuts. 3S is too low imo, buy a higher turn motor if you are looking for less speed. I'm sure a 9XL would also do really well, and run a little cooler and longer. This may be better for you.

Ent: Did you ever try 500K fluid in your CD? You were using 300K right? 500K seems the most recc'd. I just got some in, but will not have a chance to put things together and test for a few days. LMK.

i know when mine was nitro 200k was plenty for the CD should i look into something more like 300K to 400K? i personally like the nose to unload a little bit, but not to the point the truck is front wheel drive