I still need to stretch wheelbase, but did use some traxxas links on the rear to get a touch more length using the stock driveshafts. It's not much , but here's pics with the 75 turn motor, stock tires and 6:1 ratio gears. It does a lot better now .

Qestions: is there a rule for width on a 2.2 crawler?

Do you think I would be a lot better to use th lightweight battery and then add the weight to the tires with bb's? It seems to do better with the heavy battery.