Hi shoneyboy, Thought I would put my 2 cents worth in here.
I have much the same thing as you just bought in the auction and I'm here to tell you, It makes a perfect smoker. I don't see the heating element in the pictures you posted unless you have removed it. Mine has the original electric heating unit in it.
The heater has 2 heat elements, They are both enclosed in 1 unit but can be run separate or together. The bigger element stands vertically in the back and the other one is smaller and is in the base unit for the purpose of heating water that can be put in a small reservoir for moisture.
I went a couple steps further and drilled through the side wall and installed the gas valve on the outside and a propane burner on the inside, both scavenged from an old barbcue. I use the electric heating when I do cold smoking, such as Bacon and Jerky, when I do ribs, chicken etc. for hot smoke, I light the propane burner to get the needed heat.
I also installed a 4" X 10" floor furnace vent in the top for an exhaust port, and a 4" X 10" wall furnace vent in the lower part of the door for an air inlet vent, Both of these have the control to control the opening size. I also installed a 3" aluminum elbow in the lower left rear side for using the mail box mod and my amsn-p pellet burner.
I am attaching pictures so you can see what I have done with mine.
view showing the control panel for the electric elements
View of the propane burner and cast iron skillet for when I used wood chips
Gas valve and mail box mod connection
view of inlet vent in door
Close up of inlet vent
view of vent in top for exhaust vent. This makes a heck of a good smoker, Its insulated, It has the large casters to roll it in and out, Just can't think of what more could be wanted in a home made smoker, unless it was for a larger one.
Rich-