thanks fellas that offers some insight.

i have the 2200kv tekno neu motor and a v3 mmm, i run a 5s 18.5v 5000mah lipo with my setup. just recently i have (last night actually) just removed my mech brake and servo. i was 50/50 about going the motor brake, but time will tell if it was a good idea.

i did note the drive shafts to be fairly weighty as with the tyres, but i see these areas as non compromise areas as these handle alot of punishment. now i am just looking at weight distribution. trying to load all corners and front and rear as even as possible.

still looking at some hard anodized suspension rods, but i feelthis will only be good for one major collision and they will be hsistory. i slammed into a tree recently on the front left corner and aside from a broken A arm the rod was lightly bent, hardly noticeable. alloy is not so forgiving. still searching...