[rmb_cobra]

Mike,
I had a sneaky suspicion it wasn't just the gauge. When I saw the cooked gauge, I got real nervous. That little fire extinguisher I have wouldn't have slowed it down much.
I will have the items you mentioned tested, and probably look into a new voltage regulator as well.
The other issues happened suddenly after hitting a huge bump in the road. A loose ground could certainly be the culprit.

A new wiring harness (probably a Painless) is in my future, but I don't want to spend the next 3 driving months working on it. I guess that is better than a frame, motor and some fiberglass mesh....
At least you didn't blame it on the engine make! "Ford's never have wiring issues...".

Thanks. Back to the garage.