KMAC, sounds like you are getting it done. Brute force or not.there is a command called taper extrude. It may help. You can give it a draft angle. Use flip if its not going in the direction you like.
Most people can help better if you can supply a picture or file to look at. Maybe you xan find some close examples of models on youtube that have some of the same ideas that you need. Good luck, Mark