worth the investment?

I agree with Andrew on the LRT.
LRT is a must, anything can happen, getting stuck somewhere, break down etc, unplanned detours... if you were planning on being somewhere and didnt make it and ran out..... Jerry cans are a PITA.

Id go with the rear bar, but I see the asking prices of them as obscene. $2000?? I think you could have a custom one made for under $1000 if you tried! Roofracks suck.

The suspension depends on teh condition of the gear you have now, but it wouldnt hurt to have your car in its best condition when you started out would it!?

Allyn,

Have been thinking of a LRT for mine for a while. Was it as easy to fit as 4wd Systems they say in their ads? Was it the 190 litre that replaces the sub tank? Any loss of clearance. Most tank manufactures say no loss of clearance, but I am sceptical when you actually see some of them fitted up.Cheers,
Wazza
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Wazza, i might be bias but the Out of town 170 is a work of art, and does not encroach on departure angle. It does not fit as many litres as the 190, but the 190 seems to hang a little lower behind the diff.
There is a little bit of mucking around to do with installation, more to do with bending float arms and extending wiring than anything else. All bolt holes are already there on the cruiser chassis minus two 8mm holes that i dont think would matter too much if they were left out (which would mean only 2 bolts instead of 3 to hold each rear corner bracket)
i drilled them on mine with the bracket in place as a guide, no problems.
Then you just need to fill it up.....
Andrewwheredayathinkwer mike?

Wazza,
Yes it was 190 Litre sub tank replacment and it takes about 4 hours to fit although I must confess to grabbing a days overtime and getting someone else to fit it. That way I'm doing what I know and he's doing what he knows best (hopefully). Good argument for insurance having it professionally fitted too.
Didn't mess with float etc so fuel gauge doesn't move until at same capacity remaining as previous tank. I know I've got 350 km's left at that stage plus the other tank so I reckon I'll be able to make it to next servo. My tank cost $765 (free delivery to Perth).
I have absolutely no loss of clearance (have just checked and can send photos if you wish) with front section of tank sitting higher than diff filling plug and tank angling upwards to rear and sitting level with base of towbar attachment. When you think of how pathetic clearance was with the spare tyre sitting under there then it's an obvious improvement regardless. I also manage to get much more than 190 Litres in there too.
Any further questions - just ask allyn@wn dotcomdotauNext Trek - Callawa Rd

Dozer, yeah saw the article in 4wd Monthly on fitting a Long Ranger. Looks like it's quite easy, maybe an afternoon jobbie.