I have been a SS5800 pede and a warhead and a HPI RS4-2

Ive always wanted to get a crawler, but am not sure where to start, its seems almost usless to buy a TLT or Cold new when the only thing that you are really buying is the axels.

So Im looking for something kinda cheap to start with and yet with alot of potentail, 2.2 tires and single motor (no clod). I am never gonna compete, just have fun and want to keep things cheap to start.

I am considering a TLT, I recently heard you cant get one for 70$ shipped, and I have my old stampede esc and motor (even though they suck), but I think 1/18th is kinda small...

So any suggestions on where to start?

Is there any cheap source for axels? I have so many spare pede parts it wouldnt take much to put the drive train together and maybe make a cheap chassie...