Thanks for the tip on the batteries from hobbyking! i always order from the international warehouse and the only option is fedex priority, they get here in like 4 days and theres a brokerage fee!

lol the little white things are spacers for going inbetween the A-Arms and the hinge pins, or anywhere else where you want to reduce play or slack, typically you should see some already installed on the upper A-Arms, at the hinge pins.
the black clips are for suspension preload, so you can add or remove pre load on the springs, that might help with your suspension feeling too soft.

I did notice the same thing about the wheels, I tried driving it the way it came out of the box and i had no issues, maybe its something that presents more of a problem on the track? althought i straigtened them out when i put my badlands on them.

The ESC should already be calibrated, i just changed the LVC from 3.0V Per cell to 3.4V, thats just a personal thing, i like the extra bit of protection for my LiPos lol.
Yes I use the antennae tube but its cut very short, I only have it sticking out like an inch maybe? ive heard of people tucking it right into the box though with no problems.