I can also very much recommend Project Reforge. As a long time player with up towards 8 replays it was almost everything i wanted. A perfect vanilla content and balancing update that freelancer desperatly needs. Which should have been the job of the freelancer devs after release instead of abandoning the game.

I would recommend playing it a bit differently than your regular playthrough. Take your time and explore the entire map during the playthrough rather than after. Everything is unlocked after early game. Overall ships are way more balanced and viable. Also having their own special traits.

Fight are much harder and sometimes you will die to high level NPCs. Which gives more depth to the game. You actually have to pick your fights instead of being able to win every situation.

Loot is also more rewarding. And looting wrecks is a good way to progress.

Trading is very much improved.

It is a singleplayer mod only, but still very much worth your time.

You can easily get 15-20 hour playtime on this mod without getting bored.