[JThiessen]

Looks like you are trying to do about the same truck I am.

I have a Savage Flux, and now have somewhere around 300+ into hop ups on it. Not that all of them were needed, but IMHO, they were were a definite improvement for my style of bashing. If I were you, I would definitley consider a Savage, especially if you can find an XL roller for a decent price (it has the extended chassis).

I also just picked up a LST roller for about 80 bucks. Just saw another one on Craigslist yesterday for that same price. Once you upgrade the diffs on the LST, they are supposed to be good to go.
I'm putting this one together with the intent to possibly sell it to my brother in law if it proves to be a "winner". I'm considering trying to put a Flux Tranny in it - but I can seem to win a tranny at a decent price on e-bay. The sellers there are defintley shelling - The items always sell for the same price (40 to 43 bucks), and the next day, they list a new one for sale.
I'll probably have to have Mike build some center shafts for it with that tranny.