I like your thought process on this Nick, the 4 categories breakdown makes a lot of sense. The GMT800 platform is a pretty good one. I've got a Red 1994 K2500 Chevy Suburban 6.5 diesel named Clifford. He's my all around work and play classic rig and hope to some day dedicate him to an overland rig. Working on the bulletproof regiment for the 6.5 deisel right now so it will be reliable for many many planned miles. I am however still pretty impressed with the reliability of my 2nd gen Nissan Frontier and have purchased a 2015 Nissan Xterra that I'm going to see how long it will last in comparison to my Frontier. I think the 2nd gen Frontier, Xterra, and Pathfinders with the VQ40 V6 will be proven to be some of the most reliable and reasonably priced 4X4 vehicles out there. As long as the potential SMOD issue is addressed in any pre 2010 models.
I changed the PCV on my Forester and the oil consumption stopped. It was caked in oil so it was probably stuck open and sucking oil into the engine. So the interval is probably much shorter than that is recommended. I think Subaru treats it as a lifetime part when it's clearly not. That guy with the Land Cruiser, it could have been was a faulty timing belt tensioner. They are known for premature failure on Subarus if the air isn't bleed from them. I'm guessing 95% of mechanics won't bleed the air from the tensioner and will just slap it on. The head gasket on your car actually seems easy. It's a heavy job but The head is on top of the engine. I seen this video of a guy replacing a head on I think a Nissan Xterra while on a trip in a parking lot; the head was on top. He even went and got it machined.
I carry extra parts if I head out fishing in the middle of nowhere: MAFS, cam and crank sensors, and alternator. Basically things that would prevent spark. I just need an extra coil.
