@PurpCat >routers are tivoized as shit these days
Yet more false claims.

Tivotization on routers is still very rare - typically the manufacturer just doesn't include a written offer as required under the GPLv2 or document how change the software.

A lot of the time there are UART headers on the board and if you press escape on boot, you get access to a u-boot shell and can launch whatever you want - too bad

Sometimes the router manufacturer doesn't use u-boot, but leaves themselves a telnet backdoor - you just telnet in and do whatever then, although it's a pain in the ass to test replacement software in that case, as you have to install stuff and hope it doesn't break.

Even without any for that, there is almost always a undocumented JTAG header on the board, which can be used to re-program the SPI or NAND flash chips, although that's a real pain in the ass.

>half the time the free firmware needs six million blobs to work
There is no current 802.11ac card that will work without proprietary peripheral software, although part of the driver than runs on the main SoC is usually under a free license.

>buy the very specific Free Router 4000 that has some old Wi-Fi standard
There is quite a few routers with decent 802.11n cards, although they are somewhat hard to find.

You should really just get a real router like a KGPE-D16 and GNUboot it and then put in a freedom-respecting Atheros 802.11n PCIe Wi-Fi card if you want Wi-Fi.

>cool kids
>Ultra-proprietary 802.11ax
Pick zero.