heres a link to a tutorial I did a few weeks ago
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=165968
I'm just starting out recently and am already creating a replacement Interface Mod (About 90% finished) so a lot can be achived in a short time (Even though it will have you pulling out your hair in no time).
Also check out the SH4/3 Tutorials on the Menu 1024.ini and stuff on the dials.cfg there still applicable.
I've been going thru a lot of the thread gathering information on modding from alot of sources.
Even have some German and Spanish stuff converted in Google - Still quite helpfull. (I can pull this all togeter and post if Interested - I dont have the Original authors names to Credit though, as I've copied and pasted into Word

).
Best of Luck in your new venture.