new toy=Old Country Wrangler

Hello!
I've been a long time lurker and really enjoy the insights and opinions of folks on this site. I have been cooking as much BBQ as possible down here in Alabama. The problem was, I had a cheap chairbroil propane cabinet smoker. Well, last night after more than a year of research(convincing my wife) I went to academy and bought the Old Country Wrangler. Academy has discontinued heavier Wrangler and replaced it with the cheaper lighter Wrangler II. I was able to snag the Heavy Older Wrangler for $385 with clearance and I hagglied a little with the manager.

So now I am officially a real pit master that plays with fire and fire management. I am seasoning the smoker today and I have held really consistant temps with no more than 10 degrees variance from side to side. I will do some mods and I have read all the threads about the best ones for this smoker. Tuning plates, gaskets...etc. Any other insight is welcomed.

Thanks for the awesome resource and I look forward to contributing to the site.

Roll Tide!!!
-Tyler

https://imgur.com/a/dDf2iHere are some photos. After I got it loaded, lavalock gasket I put on it today and the firebox during seasoning. Hope to have my first cook real soon. Thinking a brined Deer Backstrap would be a perfect meat to break her in. I'll throw some sausages and maybe some chicken on as well. Thanks for the warm welcome!