You won't have your four wheel drive long and you will be living in the 4wd accessories stores eyeing off all kinds of 4wd parts to complement the new toy. The list of improvements will seem endless with accessories like bullbars, spot lights, side steps, roof racks, cargo pods, the list goes on and on.
Bullbars and Spotlights
For my thoughts on choosing a front bar for my own four wheel drive visit my 4WD bullbars page as I consider steel bullbar, alloy bullbar or alloy nudge bar for my Mitsubishi Pajero. I faced a very similar choice when installing spotlights/driving lights. Visit my 4WD spotlights page for some of my thoughts on installing spotlights. Your choice of bar and lights will depend a great deal on how you intend to use the car and what upgrade path you plan to take.
Sidesteps
The bottom of the range Pajero GLX does not include sidesteps. With a vehicle this big there are a number of advantages to having steps. For one it definately helps passengers, particularly kids, to get into and out of the vehicle. Loading anything on the roof can be very difficult without somewhere to stand and cleaning is very difficult without them. Heavy duty sidesteps can also double as rock sliders and protection from damage for the sides of the vehicle but even lighter ones will protect the paintwork from stone chips and reduce spray from mud and dirt. I went with the dealer fitted sidesteps when I bought the Pajero for about $600 for the pair. They are just aluminium and would get damaged easily if pushed too far however they are lightweight and have been excellent. If I ever wrecked them I would probably look for something more heavy duty but I am totally happy with them so far and think they look great.
Roofracks
Roof racks are a lot like bullbars with the same kind of choices. Steel is strong but heavy, alloy is light but not as strong. Before I had a chance to make a choice I was actually given a set of Rola roof bars. These turned out to be an excellent choice for my use being extremely lightweight and versatile. With nothing on top of them they have much less wind resistance than a roof rack and can be left on the vehicle all the time. I also bought a Rhino cargo pod to go on top of them. When I want to carry something bulky I can tie directly to the bars but for most of the time the cargo pod holds all the gear I need. The pod is so much easier to pack and unpack than having a tarp or bag on a standard roof rack. The other great advantages of the pod are that it is very light, extremely aerodynamic and waterproof! It is hardly noticable when driving, hardly affects fuel economy and keeps everything dry without any mucking around. If and when I do a longer trip and need to take more gear, like and extra spare tyre, I will probably consder a traditional rack but for now I am very happy with the setup.
Cargo Barriers
Ok, I agree with those who say a cargo barrier is absolutely essential if you have any heavy gear in the back. I was given a cargo barrier and only had to pay for fitting although professional fitting still cost $200, worth it to be sure that it was completely safe. The cargo barrier is made of steel so it is quite heavy but I am glad I can fit or remove it in about 5 minutes so that I only need to carry it when the vehicle is loaded with gear.
Bash plates
The Pajero comes with a guard under the sump however being made of plastic or something similar it does not have much value. I got my hands on a solid steel bash plate which although being very heavy will actually offer some protection. It certainly gives me a lot of comfort knowing it is there when I am driving in rougher terrain and I think it is worth the little bit of extra weight in this case. Smashing the sump could be a very sad event.