that is the key right there, you need to be able to pick a line, not just lumber in there with a giant lift / tires / lockers and just figure that with all your mods you can go thru anything. i started driving offroad at 16 y.o. on old logging roads in upper yuba co.,CA and all i had was a stock 82 honda hatchback at first. when you're in a CAR on an over grown logging trail you learn what you can take and whats gonna get you in trouble real fast. not saying you should stay completely stock for a long time, but if you're skilled, and you're not plannin on goin all out right away, you can get in and out of plenty of places with stock everything. try some easy trails stock, and get a feel for your skill level. and if you have the 3.0 in that, runnin 31's, you've got PLENTY to work with already. trust me, iv'e also got a '94 runner runnin the same stuff you got and ive gone through 2 foot deep red clay mud, ive gone down trails i never thought i could make it through and never gotten stuck yet, except in some deep icy snow, but i wasn't on the trail then.
for now, just spend your money on all the stuff that snowtoy mentioned and start small on easy trails.