racerdx- The merchant is cheaper to buy and maintain since it doesnt have the pain the @$$ dynamic strut front end. However if you really want to run that front end, you can buy it from AE for like $30-40 for everything (however you might need new servo mounts for it). however it really isnt that much better, and also unless you build it perfectly (which takes alot of time to make sure it all pivots freely and is at the correct angles and such) then it will be worse than the old school, since they bind up and do all sorts of stuff you dont want, very easily.

As far as parts for the old school front end, i would just get an extra set of arms (like $4). and you can get them fron hobby etc as well. also get the black center shock spring (its actually a repacked wolfe spring. its 17lb, the AE black spring is 4lb, so dont buy that one by mistake, like i did, lol)

and yes you have to drill holes in the chassis, but its not that bad, and only takes like 10 minutes. the adjustable servo mounts on the crc can move in a shunt unless you glue everything down.