Well, I have made some tiny (get it?) progress. Then again, research is progress, it's just never seen with the eye.

Just for entertainment sake - here is my collection of RC crawler projects:
From right to left -
Wheely King base - Chassis was CAD modeled, built, & brazed by me - It works & is fun!
Axial AX10 - All green aluminum - I call it Mary Jane, The Cannibis Crawler. It just sits around.
Kyosho Mad Force base - drill motor with 2-speed trans - work in progress.
(Behind VX) CEN Genesis-based axle parts inside custom-machined chunks designed by me - the project got too expensive to continue... for now.
THE VX!!! TLT axles, Stampede trans, K2-S Chassis... for mock up only


I ordered new wheels (which are the most inset beadlocks available) because they have been discontinued - you can see they still stick out with these TLT axles. They are RC4WD Enduros, based off KMC Enduros. I think they look great with the MT Claws! Notice the raised front bumper cladding edge I carved in last night...


You can see in this pic why I am trying to improve the geometry of the shell to better match a 1:1 VX. Lots of carving & filling to do but the carving is coming along pretty well, I think.


I picked up some Bondo filler & some Shoe Goo today. I've only had slow & steady progress over the last week, so that's it for now...