whats better to use for a FTB server?

i see two recommended mods, Simple Mods and Forge Essentials. however latest download for both seem to be for 1.4.5,  currently FTB is @ 1.4.2, or there something i missing for a 1.4.2 version?

(i'll admit for bukkit im too used to Commandbook + Safecreepers + Tree Assist) (but safecreepers for 1.4.2 is somewhat pointless due to /gamerule mobGriefing false but like how it was able to not only controll creeper, but spawning and targeting aspects of every hostile mob including the enderdragon.)

and unreleated, for friends i disabled Portalgun and gregtech (i know gregtech is pretty much a bred&Butter feel to IC2 as RP/IC/BC/(and to some) EE was to *shivver* Tekkit, so we could use MorePlayerModels Mod (sadly gregtech Addon + Portalgun breaks sub-model rendering) but there was a plugin companion for the mod for servers that let others see the animations sent by the clients running MPM,  is that possible atm in Forge-Vanilla? (the mean sto pass onto clienst w/ MPM the animations sent by other clients. (aka like if i was infront of you and did a /sit  , that if it'd be possible as of current forge hooks in Vanilla server to pass onto that client the animation? as its not possible w/o that bukkit plugin)

MPM Plugin link: http://dev.bukkit.org/server-mods/sit-and-lie-anywhere/ (devloped by the same one that made MPM)