>>2766054i did it
large ALICE, swapped straps and padding for MOLLE II, tied on a carryhandle, and swapped for actual buckles
water placement was initially a bit questionable but deflating the lower bladder a bit (~2.5L or so) makes it just feel like a lower lumbar support pad on an ergo chair or something and sits very nicely, much to my surprise
I expected the sales listing to be a medium ALICE, not large, so the actual pack itself is fairly underfilled
any other suggestions or recommendations?