1/6th Scale Savage Conversion

[Finnster]

I've been looking to do a larger scale conv of my Sav XL, basically a Sav XXL. :)
Here's how it sits now:


Watching some of the recent threads here, as well as the Sav/baja conversions has sharpened my thinking.
Here's what I'm looking to do:

Monster Truck style, keep my 4 wheel steering, extend wheelbase to ~520mm (vs 390,) center diff w. slipperential, high voltage 8-10S w. my 1521 2y. It will take a while to finish this whole thing, so hopefully CC will have the MMMXL out by then.

So far I have most the parts I need, with a few others already for fun. I'm going to go w/ the FLM bulkheads I have w/ BP diffs. I know the draw backs, but going to run them. Also have FLM towers w/ LST shocks on my current XL. The setup is good, but heavy. Plus the shock shafts for the LSTs tend to break at the thread alot. Had these before BB flux shocks came out, so may explore better shock options.



Plan to mount CD to a skidplate. Here's one from FLM I intended for my XL before I decided to go XXL. for reference. Will likely do my own, so no fancy machining :(



The wheelbase is longer than the XL, but shorter than the baja (590mm.) Basically I'm going for a FG/Redcat Rampage size. Been really digging the Monster Beetle look:



But the MT option is always cool too:



Also, I've been looking to extend the arms out, but the only option I've ever seen was the alu arms from FLM. Eh, want to stay plastic and easily replaceable. I was shown a thread recently of someone who fit CRT X2 arms onto the savage. Cool. Will explore option. Here's a comparison of the arms from my Hyper ST. Over 3/4" gain ea side. Very strong arms (busted many sav ones) bit the arms are too close to fit.
Plus, these bodies are quite wide, so I may need the wheels out as much as I can to fit properly. already have the wheel extenders as well as 1/2 offset 40series wheels. Width right now is ~435mm, the monster beetle below is 520, and those wheels are close to the body.



One trouble will be to find arms where I can have str knuckles F&R. I'm only looking at using R arms now, but most Str knuckes I see build in a lot of caster. Great for F, but will screw up the R, esp as the knuckles would be reversed in the rear, leading to positive camber. Eh... may be a pita to do this and 4ws.
Another benefit would be to use truggy axles instead of the Sav dogbones. I would be giving up a bit of width by losing the wheel extenders, but would still gain more w/ the arms. I saw ext wheel hex hubs for my hyper ST (upto 12mm) so that's always an option if needed.

Looking to go 1/8" alu. for the custom TVPs. What's the thoughts on 6061 vs 7075 for TVPs? Obviously the 7075 is stronger, but is it too hard to machine? Prolly go this way anyway.