[sandcruiser]

baseline it.
make sure that all the maintenance is complete and correct. check all the known "problem areas" and get them perfect. That will likely eat into your budget a little.

After that-- spend some money on fuel.

I know that this is a radical concept for some Mudders, but I believe you should *drive* your rig. Go where you go. Do what you do. When you notice a deficiency, correct it.

Since you already have 33s, don't touch the tires for a while. I know some very, very competent drivers who believe that 33 is "as big as 99% of off-road drivers will ever need". Maybe they are wrong. I've done somewhere above 50,000km "offroad" (ok, a bunch are on Central American roads, which aren't as good as most USA fire-roads) on 31" tires. I'll eventually upgrade to 33s.

If you spend your offroad time on 4+ trails, 33's probably aren't tall enough.

Anyway, back to my initial advice: Drive it. It'll tell you what you "need" to do to improve the way it works for what you do.

Unless of course this is just about how it looks. In which case... there are plenty of web wheelers who will opine. Look at their rigs. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

I would do an OME lift and a snorkel, if there is anything left, go for a Tuffy Center console and upgrade your speakers. That way your ride will look tough, sound good, and you can lock up your valuables.