I had an interesting thought, what about chopping up that prototype chassis and making a lower battery tray for it, much like the old RaceBomb chassis. That would lower the CoG alot, though battery layout would have to alter maybe. A123 or lipo, its all good though aint it...
I did start designing a chassis that did what you're talking about Neil. replaced the bottom skids with a chassis plate and used an upper deck where the chassis originally mounted and used a center diff. I just never really proceeded with it because I already have a truggy.