Thanks folks. Sorry for the late response, xmas season and all. Have the truck broken in now by putting about 4k miles on it now. Gas mileage is still dismal but has gone up about 2-mpg since new (avg. 14.5 on the hwy now). Had it down to near sea level and it's crazy how much punchier it is there than at our altitude. It's just begging for some artificial aspiration.
New wheels are ordered. Gonna' figure out some sort of cargo management for the bed and then get it and the rear wheel wells Line-X'd and some sort of bed cover. Also researching 37" tires but can't decide if it's really worth it for any reason other than the fact the 315s look so lost in those huge wheel wells.