Aff, I do believe that first point has been brought up a great many times. So far as I know, no progress has been made in making that step (but that is only what I can see, who knows what goes on behind the closed doors of
Wonka's factory PGI.
There are certainly some things that could make the customization a bit better in this game. I agree that I would rather not have to sift through the full list of standing or hanging cockpit items to find what I am looking for (mounted is different, since there are so few), if for no other reason than my
toaster computer has to pause for enough things during 'Mech customization.
I need a new compy anyways, so maybe one day it will not be so slow. But I digress.
Overall, I totally agree with you, OP.