I suppose let’s save the Z belts for later. I do not think there is any reason to try and save room at the cost of adding to the BOM (belts idlers and pulleys), but when we get there we can revisit. We have all the room in the world down there, but if it is easier it is a good thing.
Stepper position AB
*The blue side shows the current setup. Downside, a slightly more cluttered front face. Upside more belt contact with drive teeth.
This also takes a bit more room (yellow circle is not needed if we just use an idler on that side)…but that room is wasted anyway shown with the front of the extruder fan already poking out the front.
*Green shows the stepper in the back corner. Downside, less drive teeth contact unless we add idlers and hardware to wrap it more, larger rear corner parts to accomodate. Upside, it looks cleaner, slightly closer wires.
*This is the same if we have a top plate or not, we can talk about top plate next.
I vote keep them up front for less hardware, more pulley contact.