I really like the idea of a rank system, though i wouldn't base it on time, cause most can just idle and get to a high rank within 2 or 3 nights. The rank system may make it funner in a way for some, including myself.
And i also support the idea of taking some servers out to minimize costs, most servers are empty, and even when players are on they always flock to certain servers, while servers such as our Turbine server, and others, get very few visitors,