Whatever you do, it would seem to be a smart thing to also replace the flexplate with a brand new one. Refer to this thread to start with: http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB78&Number=1061631
and follow the various links about other discussions of failed flexplates due to metal fatigue. You got a lot of miles out of yours (more miles than many other people here).