I really don't have the time to be sending speedos back to LRP for repair...and I damn sure don't like popping white ball cups back onto the ball studs either. As far as the batt wires being up front? This is off road with gear reduction, the car will almost run for a half an hour with an 8.5 in it. The ease of plugging the batt in the front is just fine. Not to mention I use REAL speedo wiring so the current can flow just fine as well. And yes, we are just playing with Herbie too, lol.