You didn't catch my sarcasm, I wasn't being 100% serious. I agree the parts are overpriced.
Speaking of bathing in expensive liquids though, when you have members doing a diff cover changeout on a brand new truck and using additional Amsoil to "wash out" their diff, jeezus christ man....no wonder these companies think they can get away with it.
Look at the price of raptor parts everywhere, they're more than they should be, to me. The rear springs I put on my Tacoma from Icon were $700. Nearly the same thing, albeit slightly larger, is double for a raptor. There are no "Entry Level" parts for a raptor, because generally, people buying a truck that expensive didn't over-extend themselves to do so, and are going to latch on to the marketing that buying this level part means they won't be putting lower grade than OEM parts on their truck. Same diff cover changeout I mentioned, the guy buys a ford factory cover, but when presented with the idea that the spicer version is the exact same, with a different badge, for $100 less, they declined, as it may cause warranty issues later on. Let's not even get into the whole part about there really being no need for a new cover, regardless of the tag.
My thoughts are that companies don't need to sell for less, because they can market their higher priced product as superior compared to any reasonably-priced competition. I didn't want to get IBP front shocks, I just wanted a standard Fox 3.0 with DSC control, but they only sell an IBP. Same with the rear: I don't need a triple bypass, just a well-tuned 3.0 with a DSC adjuster, but none of the aftermarket suppliers sell them. (AccuTune does have an option we're working on though). I believe this is because it's easy to market the NEED for the IBP, because they come with IBPs. If they sold a non-IBP and people asked the question of what the difference is, how easy is it to say that the more expensive one is the same design, but slightly larger, while the lesser priced version is lacking the technology of the factory offering? The cost to upgrade a Raptor is more expensive, because the clientele buys into it, literally. I don't like my leaf springs are that pricey, but what's the alternative? Boycott them and hope they drop? I'm sure a decent spring shop could improve your factory setup for a bit less than Deaver, but if you want a full new pack, from anyone who doesn't make them already, that's custom, and that's expensive, and less proven to be correct for your application. Deavers have always been expensive, regardless of the model, because desert racing leaf springs is what they do, and they're arguably the best in the business.
I am a bit surprised more manufacturers aren't selling slightly more entry level offerings for parts on the Gen1s, as they become more affordable to buy for people who didn't feel like dropping the coin on a new Raptor (like myself).
