Bart, just because someone has a different opinion than yours or a different desire does not make it wrong.
Yes, cheap underdash options exist but that is not what he wants.
The number of parts is no different between a hand selected system and the "kit" from Vintage Air or Old Air products. Sure, you have to order from a "dizzying" 3 places instead of 1. Is that worth saving $400? Up to you.
I don't know if you have actually built one of their kits, but they come with a selection of parts to pick from as you go. None of the off the shelf kits I have personally built ended up having all the pieces I needed to make a clean installation, resulting in needing to go out and find compatible parts halfway through the project to finish it. It is much easier to make a plan up front and buy the right parts the first time.
This is not at all like a wiring harness where you can just buy one off the shelf and it drops in. The selection of fittings is very specific to your particular installation. Unlike building a wiring harness from scratch, there are no minimum orders for supplies and no additional fabrication work.
Even if you buy the all in one kit, you still have to do the same amount of hose routing, cutting, crimping, assembly, etc. The one thing a kit gets you is a single point of contact to call with questions.
FIB....I think as a moderator, you should read more carefully. You should realize almost every post on Stovebolt is an opinion. The opinions are based on experience, belief, study and they include some supporting info/links/comments/prices as you and I both did.
Please go back and notice Quote: "Some guys will enjoy the gathering, designing, learning, customizing, upgrading....
nothing wrong with that. The economy is not there. The effort is greater than a kit.
IMO."
Another quote: "Just observing benefit vs cost vs budget"
You need to learn to not get angry when someone has a different opinion. Also your $400 math is wrong.
Are we not allowed to peacefully express an opinion? I said it was my opinion twice.
