I don't really use plugins, so I can't help you there. And to model them, you don't need plugins, as there are free figures coming with DAZ that give you a head start. But there's a lot of free stuff around, like hair, poses, etc. There are also (lots of) .bvh files for the Genesis 2 figure to be found. If imported the figure does a little dance or something. I never use them, as I only use G1, but it's fun.
You can ask Alessandro Mastronardi if his hair plugin works with the latest version, but I think so. Never used it myself, though. He makes animals, btw. The best available for DAZ, I'd say.