the latest two conversions i've seen are mine
http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28507 and i forgot who did the other, but we both agreed to mount the motor (1717) on the front and batteries to the rear of the truck using a center diff. i have mine locked which i want to change out. especially with the larger tires, there is too much gyro effect and trying to get up to speed using 6s is pointless for me. the slightest bump or finger twitch lifts the front up and over.
beyond not locking the diff, the only other improvement i would make to mine would be getting some shorter lipo's so i can lower them down on each side of the rear drive shaft. that was my original plan, but i worked with what i had and my packs are too long.
i do not think 8s is needed at all with the 1717 motor. you will have a very hard time trying to control it, and the gearing options using a center diff is already on the tall side.
as for the truck handling the power, if you ever seen one of these things in person you would see pretty much the most beefy drive train in the market. go for it.
also i need to update my pictures since i've made some changes. i no longer have the motor plate in the truck to us saddle packs on each side of the rear driveshaft and i've redone my motormounts. also i have fried my esc and i'm waiting on a mmm to be shipped to me.