Techyjoe - I saw that you replaced the Duratrax springs with the stock ones. I just installed the same shocks on my front suspension and as-is they compress nice but the rebound from the spring is horrible - the shocks stay about 3/4 compressed. By doing the stock spring did you find it stiffer and better for this?
Also, I have a motor mount in the works along with pulleys and a belt. This is getting fun, just when the snow is melting...