Just bought a Caspian in Elite and want to fit it out for deep exploration, jump range first but able to survive a bad landing. Which modules are people running, and is it worth engineering the FSD before leaving the bubble?
Plot your route through neutron stars if you're going far. A jetcone boost from a neutron gives you roughly four times your normal jump range for one jump, and spansh has a neutron plotter that builds the route for you. Every supercharge knocks a bit off the FSD's health though, which is another reason those two AFMUs are on the list. Repair between legs.
The hull matters less than people think, the recipe is the same for every exploration ship. A-rate the FSD and nothing else. Everything you can D-rate, D-rate, it's the lightest class, and shrink the power plant and thrusters to the smallest size that still lifts you off a high-g planet. Biggest fuel scoop that fits. Guardian FSD booster if you have the slot, it's a flat jump range gain. Detailed surface scanner obviously, two AFMUs so one can repair the other, a small D-rated shield for landings, and heat sinks.
And yes, engineer the FSD before you go. Increased range grade 5 with the mass manager experimental is 40-50% more jump range, nothing else you do comes close. Farseer takes it to grade 5 on her own so it's one trip.
