Gauges going all the way on startup + smoke

If you have that external regulator, it has been added, and the fuel gauge modified, because origininally the Ralley cluster had the IVR inside the fuel gauge. Your fuel gauge should have 3 terminals--1 for 12V in from the key, which feeds the regulator. The regulator output feeds the fuel gauge, and also comes back OUT on the second stud to jumper power to the other two gauges, and the third stud is to the sender

yes, I dont have pictures of the wiring, but you can tell it was added.