2009 - XT660Z - 50,001 miles on the clock

just finished riding from ushuaia to prudhoe bay, then east to newfoundlnad and south to key west...i did 38,000 miles

i carry on riding around the world May 2013, i am going to do a few mods before i leave, but i have some issues, i live in the states so i am one of the very few lucky ones!!!!

...but by being lucky i can't drop in to dealers to see parts, take measurements or in most cases see other XTZ's on the road to ask questions so here goes

thinking of doing a rear shock change/ upgrade...any advise?
just change the spring or the whole unit?
anyone used a particular brand for 25,000 miles + with no issues (my next stop is africa, south down the west coast and north up the east coast) don't want to get stuck with a blown shock

front progressive springs by hyperpro?
for the rear just use the hyperpro spring, over the stock unit?
can someone send me a photo of the stock rear shock, don't know what was stock on the 2009???

can someone measure the rear suspension links not sure if mine are stock or lowered, i'm thinking mine was lowered...give me a center to center measurement

has anyone used the jack up kit from Lust Racing (i'm 6' 1" so height not an issue) if so handling, same/ better/ worse? can i get an eye to eye measurement from someone for these?

i have stock bars, i'm going to add risers 30mm but want to change bars (i know i'm coming off more than a few times in Africa) any advise on aftermarket bars, heavier duty larger diameter etc

any other advise would help as i have to pay double to get stuff over here unless i can find parts that cross over from another bike available here

BTW i'm a welder/ fabricator by trade and also owned a motorcycle shop for 17 years so i can make stuff if need be

the map...the route

red already done...
blue line...Louisiana to NY via west coast
fly to iceland - ferry to faroe island
ferry to denmark, north to Norkapp
south to Cape Town via UK taking the western route
north to UK taking eastern route
Uk to magadan and back, via stans and Mongolia - road of bones and BAM road
Uk to New Zealand hitting everywhere possible!!!!