Here we go again...
I'd stay away from both of the options unless you want to become a quality control test subject
Buy lemforder arms. We talk about this all the time, in fact -- there's another thread up top here right now debating the same damn thing.
I've heard or read that the controls can be pulled apart, but have never done it. It'll add a lot of R&R time, I would think. Removing the slider cables will be a big enough pain in the ass to begin with, might as well save some of the hassle and buy the entire thing.
best, whit