thanx for the responses guys, keep em' comin!! I'm collecting opinions!
lincpimp: good point about the brakes. I think I'm gonna go mechanical: just seems like it would make the motor and ESC last longer if they didn't have to stop a 12 pound truck too! Also, thanx for bringing up just getting 2 packs: I really never thought of it! DOH!! See what I mean? I've been inhaling WAAAY too much nitro fumes!
but, uh, do I need anything else to do mech. brakes? I have a 3 channel spektrum radio and esc, and of course, extra digital servos