I hear that about the links all the time, but, I've never had any issues with them. I have had issues with the STRC ones though (I have bent several of them at the skate park I run at).
What about rear hubs, caster blocks and steering blocks? After trying different plastic and aluminum ones from integy, rpm, and several other companies, those parts I would only get from Traxxas, along with the aluminum steering bellcrank. I'm currently working on a Slash that I did that upgrade...
My honest opinion, since you are going to be using your own electronics would be to just find a used Bandit VXL chassis slider complete. The reason for the VXL is because, unless hers was a quirk, uses bearings and different hubs and steering blocks, whereas the XL-5 uses bushings. From what I...