I bought my SC104x4 when they were still on Pre-Order everywhere. I only just replaced the original belt last week.....not because it was worn/broken, but because I had a spare belt and assume that since it is now discontinued, I will only really get another 3 years out of the truck before parts start getting hard to find.

As for the center dif issues, I recall someone selling a kit to remedy that....was the best upgrade I ever put onto the truck.

I think I even saw someone figured out a way to put an extra gear between the pinion and spur to take care of the motor rotation issue....but I think that was only a proof of concept.

At any rate, I'm glad AE thought outside the box with this truck....made me feel even better when everyone was ragging on it and then I started winning races (after the C-Dif upgrade).

Unfortunately, I really feel like AE is moving more towards Traxxas's business concept. The B5 looks like a great racing vehicle....but the 8.2 was a flop, the SC104x4 never really hit commercial success thanks to the issues that Mantis mentioned, when was the last update to a truggy from AE? 4 years ago? 5? The TC6.x is a good on-road car, from what I can tell....but everything they have is old....

I hope I am wrong....I have always loved what they have done, but unless something comes out soon for the RACER, AE may kiss that market segment goodbye. (though they will probably increase their profits by saying goodbye to racers....)