AT to freeride boot conversion

Ok I'm just beefing up my AT boots, bt the plan is to make them good enough to not need Alpine Boots (Also trying to do the reverse with the alpine rig, but that's another story). For AT I ride Lowa Struka Evo's because they fit me and Denalis/G-rides don't. To begin with they are at the upper end of AT stiffness, but still good walking boots as last summers trips proved. The tounge is as stiff if not more so than those in XT's so that route dosen't do much, instead I opted for an extra clip.

http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic21453.jpg

http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic21452.jpg

The clip is a Scarpa item, the same as on Denali's, Lazers and others...mine were fitted by the guys at Footworks. The effect of the clip is to preload the tounge and retain the heal, if left undone it has no effect on uphill performance.

Does it work....Yes and No...It makes the boot a whole lot more responsive, I can now push my Lawnchairs around in shitty winpack and refrozen avalanche debris...I could take my touring rig almost anywhere (Yes I would Ski the Galacier rond on them)....but they are a long way behind my Richlee F1 Pro's, I couldn't push my Exploders around at 60mph with confidence or try and ski bumps on my Powder pluses.

have you added any plastic to the upper cuff?
i riveted some into my Garmonts, making them significantly stiffer, torsionally speaking. Less boot shape degradation sends more energy to the ski.
I can show you next week!:D