I hear what your saying, but it is cost effective for a reason. Not just because they are willing to sell there parts one piece at a time vs as a complete kit for a huge amount of money. And more importantly they are willing to work with my needs and not deny me cause I am installing something other than a big block and want the largest brakes on the market.
People say the same thing about the Dana 30 front axles in my jeeps. And how I am going to break them and how horrible they are. For my usage, they seem to work well and are cost effective. Since everyone thinks they are crap, I get them for cheep and keep on rolling.
My only other option would be to build my own. And even still I would need something for a example. Which at the cost AJE would do that. And this may be a option I follow in the long run after I have the engine in and I decide what I like and don't.