I was wondering if you could take a shallow or mid range crankbait and file the bill of that crankbait into a square bill ? Just a idea not sure if it could work, or would it reck the action of that crank? Or am I nuts?

The problem you would run into with most of the baits would be the line tie. You could file just the end off of the bill to make it a square shape but you couldn't make it a shallow runner if that's what you mean. It would just be something you'd have to try, like everything else in fishing.

I know that VanDam files the front of the bill  of some of his cranks to give them a different action.

But he does not change the style of the bill.

You are correct in your thinking that the bass in the areas you fish have seen enough of the standard baits and that by modifying a few you may get an advantage over these simple animals that drive us crazy.

KVD and the other pros modify their baits so I see no reason why you should not do the same.

So as stated above, take a "whack" at it and let us know what happens.