Hey Jason,
Have you done any more thinking on those rear height adjusters to accomodate 1/4 X 1/2 bearings? I know you said you'd need to do different side pods, but you're pretty amazing with this stuff.
Had a bad experience with a 1/4 X 3/8 bearing costing me a win in 19T this weekend. I hadn't seen the inner seal and keeper riding on my rear axle until I was powering the car up for the main. Too late to do anything about it other than pray. Passed into the lead at about 3 minutes and was pulling away 1-2 tenths per lap. Then at 5 or so minutes she coasted to a stop with the sound of destroyed spur. Sure enough, the rear axle wobbled like a drunk nun in the right side adjuster...the bearing was gone.
I'd pretty much (within reason) spend what it took to get the more robust bearings and I'm sure I'm not alone.