To be honest, I don't think the resource accessibility is so bad as to make one require permanent resource source or some resource-generating tech. Personally, merely slightly bumped number of boulders around the wastes and possibly a way to break some ruins down for materials would be enough. On the other hand, as mentioned, oil barrels are a bit too common and I wouldn't mind it if those would be much more rare and mostly to be found in some ruins.
Regarding dying, no, it works as designed, I just indeed think that merely losing what you have found since embarking is kinda too little. Losing all tools may hurt but it will hurt only early game while not mattering much late-game. Thus idea of having stuff like currently used vehicle (including llamas) risking a chance to be lost, companions temporarily disappearing to return later, die permanently or require rescue, maybe some slight debuff. Of couse, in the end, you call the shots.