So, after hours of trying to modify everything. I've found that there hasn't been a way I can think of that gets MODX working on the Grid. I do have a DV with (mt) and installing MODX there has been a breeze. Lower your TTLs in the account center, create a new DNS zone, turn off FastCGI for PHP on your zone and try to reinstall on the latest version of PHP. I don't believe the grid uses JSON, but they do PECL, so double checking all the plugins listed on the requirements site for MODX revo should show you what to check for in the PECL repository. I do not believe that ImageMagick is available in PECL, but I doubt that's causing the whole issue. Try that, and see if it works. It should take you about 20 minutes sans importing your old content. Turning off FastCGI was the only thing I hadn't tried. It could be the issue.
Try before you buy BobRays site checker. It might save you $25.
@treigh
Sorry for all the typos, on my phone.
@erpcayne Thanks for the insight. At least you're out of the woods. I'll try your suggestions and hope I get lucky.
A MODx Fanatic