Just saw this thread and I made the same mods these other guys suggested. I found the advice on this site in a past thread when i noticed the TMLE would not hold temp & burn too fast. Here are some photos
The coal basket is a must to solve the ash problem
a flexible dryer hose to move the draw of the stack down lower. Cut the hose so it has tabs on the end, feed it thru the hole then bend the tabs out and install the stack to hold it in place.
a broiler pan attached to a piece of steel at about a 30 degree angle to act as a deflector plate. The Right side sits on top of a bolt and nut passed thru a hold drilled from in the firebox.
Other thoughts not pictured....
1- Heat sealant on every crack and hole is a must. Without it the TMLE draws way too much air in the firebox and losses way too much heat everywhere else.
2 - Also not pictured are 2 additional Thermos installed at grill level - one on the far right and one on the far left. The stock thermo is way too high in the cooking chamber to be any use except as a reference to measure against past efforts. Typically mine runs 30-50 degree difference between far right and left...which is fine by me and probably the best I think I can do with this machine.
3 - Also not pictured is a bed of those gas grill fake bricks I used to layer the entire bottom to help evenly disperse heat and for heat retention when the door is opened. Someone else mentioned a big tin pan of water and I have done that too....right on top of the bricks and it also is great for evening out the heat distribution and with heat retention.
Had to fiddle with it a fair bit and yes it COULD HAVE been made better but after all is said and done it cooks great, came at a fair price and offers lots of cooking space. AND......
Fits 3 big king salmon!
(That Thermo is in there pre-install of the extra two at grill level.)
Good Luck with yours!