Try using this mod list by Sober.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=192374
You may not need all the mods but you can still use that list as base in activating mods in the correct order
And as for the explosions I think this is what you might be looking for if you don't have I suggest you get it
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=174511