I kind of liked the idea of line x the whole frame and whatever else can be done, then the ground clearance and maybe a fox suspension or something would be neat.
Were you thinking about changing the engine type at all? I was thinking the amc inline six, though popular already, it has excellent low end torque and is bulletproof, plus so many are available especially from the uglier cherokee models that came out... Hope this all isnt just noise in your ear so to speak, I don't want to sound like im trying to make a whole new design for you but I can't wait to see what good stuff you come up with. I have loved what I have seen so far and now i will wait patiently for your new buggy prototype!