If you watch some videos like from shock surplus and filthymotorsports they will give a pretty good idea of shocks and their damping differences as well as springing options. I have an '03 and it had xreas when I bought it used, I changed it out after a couple years to 4600 Bilstiens and FJ springs and it was a much firmer ride, which I liked for the most part and I added a 1" and then replaced with a 1/2" spacer (it's the way). The Bils are a little harsh on small bumps so recently installed Dobinson IMS and they are somewhat better. I really don't think any suspension will really give you what you're looking for on the body-on-frame design, everything else from a good working xreas sounds like a compromise. (My xreas was without the gas charge the whole time I had it so I don't know what it feels like new).
What I really think is needed is a good working LCA/UCA bushing design. IMO the ideal would be like a motorcycle swingarm, with greased bearings and seals that would give the least resistive movement, the stock bushings are very resistive to movement as they are torsionally twisting the rubber back and forth, the Super Pro bushings I installed(or Whiteline) are a step up as they allow less resistive movement, but not as free as I think they should be.