As such, I've been trying to induce lucid dreams earlier in REM to experience them much longer with DILD.
Ahh yeah that's a tricky one man. I'd say it's generally a little more difficult to get early REM lucids, but by no means does that mean its impossible. A tip though since you're trying to get those Early REM lucids, make sure your dream recall is up to par. If it is, once you do get those early LDs, you'll remember them easily. If your dream recall isn't too good then it will be a little harder to remember early lucids and you may even forget them. It's happened to me before. Good luck dude.