351WFORD

I got a 1990 351W stock motor and I want to modify it for off-roading.. I have 35" tires with 4.56 lockers in back and plain 4.56 gears in the front axle. Thats all I have so far!
I have heard I should get long tube headers ( 2" exhaust, 3 " tip)
Not sure where to go with the heads, intake, or cam.
I heard i should go with GT-40 heads and edelbrock intake...
I also have a stock tranny..should I replace with better one ( not sure what kind), or can I just rebuild it to perform better?
Any thoughts, info, or suggetions on this would be good...