The key is knowing how many to request for the upgrade. If it becomes too grindy where you're repeating a mundane task then it isn't enjoyable. If it's just enough to make you feel you've earned the upgrade through some encounter/hunting/exploring then it's good.
Fallout 4 made this the most arduous process that I ever had to go through in a video game and it was a huge reason why I grew to dislike it over time. It felt like such a pointless waste of time to scavenge random buildings and hope that you'll eventually find enough goddamned tin to be able to afford that sniper rifle receiver upgrade.