Coming back to SH3+GWX3 Gold after a long Lay-Off--Need Advice Please.

[Feuer Frei!]

Kaleuns,
after many years(3 approx.) I am about to install SH3 and GWX3 and have been actively scouring the forum section of SH3 and its stickies. However as you know there is a plethora of information and mods available to use, which of course is wonderful. But. What I would like to know from people currently playing SH3 WITH GWX3 is what has changed in relation to mods having been updated, what files/mods are still working, what are must-haves, what mod load-out orders are optimal, what mods have been discontinued, ie out-dated, cause ctd's, etc etc.
Some mod stickies and threads unfortunately do not state the last update made to them, some if not most are dated from several years back, or longer.
Updated only through forum posts, however it becomes difficult navigating through 20+ pages, perhaps some of you have a quick bit of time posting here what are the current optimal mod load-outs with the least amount of, if any, ctd's or smooth, uninterruptable gameplay.
Perhaps if i may offer some feedback tying in with my requests: a sticky or a thread for us people who are about to install the game to pinpoint easily and without having to make a thread asking what i am asking. A sticky or a thread(a kind of 'one-stop go-to place) where current, updated mod load-outs are posted with a user's summary of this load-out, why it's optimal or that it's optimal, a updated list of what does and currently does not work in the game?
Just a suggestion.