All of your issues are easy fixes, as long as you have some mechanical ability. Check out the FSM at the top of this forum.

If the new car bug is getting to you, give your Toy a makeover, it is cheaper then buying new, I have done this about every 2-3 to my '90I have basically ran out of things to change.

There is a reason why you don't see many Fords, Chevy's, or anything else's small trucks on the trail but Toy's. It isn't because Toy's are cheap, it is because they are better built for the trail stock then anything else, stonger frames, trans, t-cases, diffs and axles, etc. If you use your Toy primarily as a street rig, then a new Ford might be better for you, though if you like to wheel it or plan to, keep the Toy and fix it, in the long run you will be money ahead.