John sounds like a decent start with the bearings. If you are running a brushless setup then certainly think about the diff balls being upgraded to ceramics. Idler gears can be problematic, again you can get metal or nylon upgrades for these.
Shocks wise a used X2 or X2C set, Team associated B4 ones all fit. I believe even ansmann do some metal cased ones for not much $$$
although they will be the non-adjustable type.