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I retired my 94 with similar mileage due to frame rot (that I repaired many times over the years), it never had any coolant issues but it did start to use oil when driving in hilly terrain. No smoke. I'd do some tests (compression and leak down) to verify where the problem is. With that mileage it's probably not worth just throwing head gaskets on it. I would swap in a low mileage VG33 or VG30 from a wrecked one. If you insist on keeping your block/heads/etc, you should do a full rebuild including bearings/rings/honing the walls etc. And get the heads redone as well.

The install is not fun, I had to burn mine out and cut the sleeves. The new ones pressed in fairly easily, though. It did make a considerable difference in how it drove. As well as fixing the sway/torque steer problem. I also agree with @gamellott and check out the front end as well. It can cause all sorts of other symptoms. Most common issues are worn idler arm and center link. And yes the alignment is frequently done improperly especially if they play with the caster/camber.

Yeah, do everything you can while you're in there. Cam and crank seals, water pump, thermostat, bypass hose, belt, and tensioner, and have a good look at your rad hoses. The timing belts last long enough that the chain conversion would be more trouble than it's worth. If you want a longer-lived belt, get a set of sprockets off a later (mid-'93+) VG to run the round-tooth belt. Square-tooth is good for 60k miles, round is good for 100k IIRC.

@AR97Pathfinder Yep, 2923 are the MD fronts (2928 are HD), with 2922 MD rears. If the KYBs are new and otherwise doing fine, I'd probably stick with them.