Love this thread.

FWIW - Jeeps are the same way. A conglomeration of parts that results in a pretty capable whole, but with some prudent upgrades can be substantially better.
I just upgraded the primary wiring on my 2005 Jeep LJ while doing a battery re-fit/upgrade. One thing I now feel more strongly about than ever is that the OEM "fusible link" which is between the alternator and the PDC/battery should be replaced with an appropriately sized ANL fuse. If you substitute the word "fusible" with "burnablewhenoverloaded", you will see what I mean. Then look at where that consumable component (an undersized section of wire) is located. On a Jeep is it bundled in with and near other primary and secondary wiring. Collateral damage if you overload the charge wire is guaranteed.
I have personally driven a vehicle that suffered a catastrophic dead short in the primary wire from the alternator that resulted in the fusible link doing its job. Luckily the short was quickly found, and the fusible link was replaced, and collateral damage was minimal. The light show from the arcing (it was at night) was impressive! And I was driving the vehicle at the time! It was an old Dodge van, BTW.
Just some semi-relevant ramblings from a Jeep guy. Carry on.