454 advice

i have an 82 suburban 454, 7004r4, np208, 3 inch body lift 6 inch suspension, 35" tires, 4:11 gears. the truck is used for fishing trips, daily driver and off roading. this truck gets used on 3000 mile road trips to northern canada on fishing trips. it has a large roof rack, and is about as aerodynamic as a bulldozer. this truck also wieghs in at 7400 lbs with no grear in it. add 4 guys 3 weeks of food and gear extra fuel it weighs 10 000 lbs.  so anyway........... the motor went it...... my thoughts on this truck is with the old motor it took about 3/4  
throttle to keeps her moving at 60mph! i want a motor that has the torque to stay at speed with as little throttle as needed but has enough power to have fun and play in mud. i want to stay fairly stock aside from the usual bolt on's and a cam.
is increasing the compression worthwhile?... but i want to run on 87 octane but get the benefits if i do run premium. my machine shop wants 1000$ to bring the compression to 9:1. anyone have suggestions ??  

Man with a stock 454 you should have plenty of power. My thoughts are tha that motor must have been tired for awhile if it took 3/4 throttle to run 60. I would just go through it and put some external parts on it. A high performance intake, carb, headers, maybe a mild cam and it would have plenty of power. I hope this helps.  
1980 K20 400 hp 350 4 spd np 205 dana 44 14 bolt posi 6 inch lift 33 inch tires and 4.10 gears

get a diesel. that would be the best way to get what you want. if what you are saying about the 454 its tired. spend the money and rebuild it or buy a gm crate 502 or 454. to take the benefits from premium you have to have the compression but if you have the compression you won't be able to run 87. good machine work is not cheap i don't care who tells you they can do it for cheaper you might want to spend the money.