Starting a Custom Nitro build....Am I crazy?
 

How's it going guys? Just to start off, I have been racing RC for about 5 years now, got started at a SMALL on road carpet oval running an AE18t, then moved up to offroad. I now run an AE RC8b, an HPI Blitz (mod), a Losi XXXt-MF1 (mod).
I recently picked up 2 Traxxas Rustler Nitro's (one w/ a Traxxas 2.5, the other with the .15) and a Traxxas Jato (2.5 as well) for $20 total. They all supposedly run, but were torn apart by the previous previous owners, and then given up to the guy I bought them from. Far as I can tell, they are all there. They are the older versions, not the latest, but that doesn't stop me!
I decided to turn the Jato and 1 of the Nitro Rustlers into dirt oval cars (one for me, one for a co-worker), and tear apart the 2nd Rustler and turn it into a Nitro powered, RWD, SOLID AXLE short course truck. I know that RC Driver I believe did a custom RWD Nitro Slash, but I want to do them one better. I want SOLID AXLE!!!!
So, just seeing what the collected expertise of this board thought, as most of the local racers just look at me funny when I mention it, and think I sniffed just a bit too much of the nitro fume.
I want to keep it "1/10th" scale, so roughly the same wheelbase as the Slash or Blitz. The front end will keep the wishbone independent suspension. I am thinking about using 2 of the swingarms from the Kyosho Mad Force MT, as they look PRETTY beefy. I am unsure about the axle, if a Axial SCX10 axle or an HPI wheely king axle would be wide enough. Don't really want to buy one from RC4wd, because even though they are AWESOME, they are expensive.
I will most likely be brazing together a tube frame for the rear, using steel tube and C channel. I know this beast will be heavy, so I will probably trade up for a Traxxas 3.3 or maybe a used .21 or .28 from a local guy.
No pics yet guys, but as soon as I get the trucks dissasembled I will be starting to figure out how to do it.
Also, not sure how to go about doing the transmission/brakes. Any suggestions?

Thanks for your help guys, and for your support and encouragement for other guys doing custom builds! It is that support/encouragement that has given me the hope for this build!!!!

forgive me for asking, but what gave you the idea that solid axle is better? They're typically only used for rock crawling.

Well, nothing really told me they were better for true racing. But they are more correctly scale, at least with current Baja1000 & Short Course truck designs. This isn't a race vehicle per se, but more of a "scale" Short Course build. If it were to be a "race" vehicle, I would have stuck with an independent rear for sure.
I just like the look of a solid axle w/ pumpkin diff dropping out from under the truck as it flys over jumps. I realize it will make the truck a bit harder to turn in some of the tighter corners, and make designing the rear interesting, what with linkages and panhard bars, etc. But that's part of the fun, I think. At some point after I finish this build, I may attempt a 4wd version, but that's in the future.

Anyone have any ideas/suggestions at all? I am open to hearing your thoughts, comments, derision, laughter, support, whatever.
This is going to be a winter project for me, that will hopefully keep me connected to RC. I am not going to be able to race for awhile, and am REALLY hoping I can keep my race trucks, if my finances allow.

The swing arms used on the mad/twin force are kinda weak. they have a lot of flex, enough that they allow the dogbones to pop out. Most MF owners mod them with solid links. Id look for another option.