[MetalMan]

Whoa David, you are awake earlier than usual :). Hardened pinions are an option (no doubt), but the cost of them is pretty high. I would hate to hear of a pinion and spur stripping after a long period of use, since together the cost for replacement would be about $35.

There is always the way that I chose, and that is no center diff, but a center slipper clutch (using Revo parts) with MGT mod1 spurs (very strong). I have yet to strip a plastic spur gear! But that is also somewhat caused by the slipper clutch absorbing the things it should.