ok...relative nubee on the road to more power

[SFaulkingham]

Ok all...

I bought a stock 1992 LE PowerRam 250 with 6" block lifts with 16.5" rims, 35x12.50 BF Goodrich. The only modification it had was a straight exhaust pipe. Rear leaf spring rear bracket broke from rusting out, so I am replacing rear brackets and springs (the front bracket for the rear spring is dicontinued, so will have to fabricate something for it), the front springs, shocks (getting the rancho rs9000). I have bought 4 gauges (egt, 0-60 boost, trans temp and oil pressure) and have to fab some sort of pod for the gauges. The exhaust is cracked, so I ordered the Gibson Swept Side Aluminized Exhaust System with a powerflow muffler (I love the loud straight pipes, but a touch too loud for normal driving around and to my neighbors at 5:30am), with a 5"tip, and a bully dog fuel pin from xtremediesel. It is currently getting a valve adjustment and a new rear main seal which is leaking. The truck's body is in great shape, with just a bit of rust under the doors.

I think I have everything really to create a decent ride , and would appreciate any feedback.

Couple of things I was thinking about doing, and would like some feedback. One is that the rear frame is a little rusty, and I was going to reinforce it with steel. Should I weld or bolt? Also, any ideas on fabricating a gauge pod. I was thinking a stained wood pod that would screw to my dashboard (top and to the left). Any ideas? I have read all that I can on tapping for gauges, and I think I have got it down. The gent at Geno's said I should install the tran temp on the lower left or right side, not the bottom. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks ahead of time.

Shawn