Did a rear pan-hard bar conversion on my D2 a while back.

I've been looking at my front pan hard bar and wondering why couldn't I do the same heim-joint system up front with an extended bar to compensate for my 3" RTE lift?

I paid under $100 for my rear bar with 2 heavy-duty heim joints.

Has anyone done this?
Do you know if the rear bolt size is the same as the front?
How the hell would I know want length to get? I'm guessing I'd get a bar about 2" longer with adjustments on each end and go from there with an alignment.

I know there are a few vendors out there that sell an extended front pan-hard bar but they are freeking expensive.

thanks for any help.

Attached is a photo of a similar set up someone did on a Range Rover P38. Found it through a google image search but couldn't find any contact info.