Just wanted to update: I fixed my brown wire (one of the trailer or marker lights) on the switch, changed the location of my ground to the engine block for all the gauges, and installed an inline fuse for the water temp gauge as I reread the manual. It recommends a 3amp. Maxi fuse should be here tomorrow and then I can start it up for the first time in a few months! Really don't like the fusible link deal if I happen to have another problem. Though that wire was the only one I messed with, if there does happen to be another issue that blows the fuse, I can investigate and replace a fuse instead of re-solder. That plus the coming up cross country trip, it would be nice to not have to solder anything on the side of the road.
Tonight, time pending, I will tap into the blue/red wire.