Chief,
my first modification was drilling a few holes in the raised edge around the water/chip tray. I have read about the smoker boiling off the water so I though that would help. I've also ordered a new regulator assembly from one of my homebrew suppliers. Has a needle valve, good psi etc. The weather here has been a little crappy so I've been making my mods ahead of my first smoke.
My page is on flickr under (thatbrewerdude) or (Dave Scarborough). It shows my homebuilt hot/ cold smoker and the gas smoker. Regarding your smoker, make sure it has the new regulator assy. There was a recall on my particular model. The guy that sold it to me (craigslist) said he got scared of it after the cabinet loaded up with LP and he restarted it. Said the boom scared him so bad he jumped off the porch into the rosebushes.
Twopockets, if it starts to get that warm, I'll just move back to Maine. Ain't no Hell strong enough to warm that place...