Josh_2012Outback

Hi, I've just purchased a 2012 Outback 2.5i petrol auto, 75,000km on the clock. I am looking to gear it up for some minor 4x4 adventures. I'm new to all this, so any feedback is appreciated please. 

Type of Travel:
95%+ city and highway driving (on the M1 from Sydney to Gosford/Newcastle).
I'd be going once a month off-road on camping trips - small rocks, bumpy dirt roads, dawn and dusk driving on country roads, occasional sand and mud.

PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS:
SubaXtreme bull bar ($2,500 installed) or number plate mount for lights ($20) - Not sure if the bull bar is necessary? Don't want to mess around with a nudge bar as they won't protect me from a roo. All or nothing (bull bar or cheap light bar).
SubaXtreme sump guard (approx. $400) - is it necessary?
Hayman Reece Tow Bar $820 (also will a useful recovery point).
I'm not keen on a lift kit due to the effect on handling and wear on CV joints etc.

GEAR:
- Uniden 8060 UHF radio with GME front mounted antenna ($330)
- 5 Inch 60w LED Driving Lights ($400)
- ARB Tyre repair kit and ARB quick deflator
-5,000kg snatch strap
- X-Treme Exhaust Air Jack (because it cost me $50 and it's worth $300)
- Bushranger Recovery Tracks (Worth $200, got them free. the roll up rubber ones, not the "Maxx Tracks" hard track ones)
- Bushranger Air Compressor (RRP $250)
- NOCO Jump Starter Battery ($170)
- Australian Direct KICK-ASS Deep Cycle 15,000mAh battery for camp lights, 12v kettle, charging phones etc.
- Kings Rooftop Awning to mount to roof racks ($100)
- Second spare tyre with rim (currently I only have the "max 80km/hour" spare) ?

Would you recommend the sump guard/bull bar for my driving?

Also, (this question also posted in the electronics section) - can anyone point me in the right direction for removing some of the lower dash for install of UHF and driving lights? I've very little idea but I'm sure it's been done before!

Any thoughts or feedback would be much appreciated! Thanks very much.

I have a 2012 Outback 2.5i and I will be installing:
- Uniden 8060 radio (the plain black box with the handpiece with all the buttons on it)
- Driving lights

My friend will be helping - he is an electrician and experienced with Hilux's. He says the dash has to come off so the lights can be wired into the high beams circuit.Where do I start? Should I buy a PDF of the Service manual for my car + a cheap dash removal kit? 

Surely this has been written about before, can someone point me in the right direction? Which part of dash to remove first?

Thanks very much