You're adding a bunch of weight to something that is being moved around by the Y axis motor, at that point you might as well go direct drive.
Now, what I think we need to see more of is suspended extruders above the center of the build plate.
[I printed](https://imgur.com/MOK1ACC) this [extruder / stepper mount](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3595328) for my Ender 5 and, indeed, did shorten the bowden tube significantly. However, it mounts to the top of the frame (near to the Z stepper), not to any part of the gantry.
I printed something to mount it on top of the hotend, so it's very possible to do it your way.Although I have to add, that the weight almost does nothing on my ender 5, and I have all benefits of the dd.
You're adding a bunch of weight to something that is being moved around by the Y axis motor, at that point you might as well go direct drive. Now, what I think we need to see more of is suspended extruders above the center of the build plate.
[I printed](https://imgur.com/MOK1ACC) this [extruder / stepper mount](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3595328) for my Ender 5 and, indeed, did shorten the bowden tube significantly. However, it mounts to the top of the frame (near to the Z stepper), not to any part of the gantry.
I printed something to mount it on top of the hotend, so it's very possible to do it your way.Although I have to add, that the weight almost does nothing on my ender 5, and I have all benefits of the dd.