custom rom in progress help needed!

I've been working on a custom rom for awhile now, however, i've got a problem.
I've done all the edits correctly but the phone's rom will work, and i can make calls, but thats it, no receiving calls, no texts. And also the browser doesn't work.
i did update the java and its a fully custom interface which functions flawlessly for the most part, ran into a few application jams.

I used the oldest available firmware because i thought it would be easier.
anyways, this is what i need,
one of the newer firmwares for the instinct, i cannot get one because i'm not on sprint, im on cricket, hence one of the reason's im making a custom rom.
i talked to a college buddy of mine who works for sprint developer and he said that the newer firmwares had less locks and will flash without workarounds, other wise you'll have to jtag, which is what i have already done.

If you know how to strip a firmware and upload it that would be amazing! i will make a custom rom for sprint in that case. shouldn't be too hard at all.

might also need some photo shop help in the future cause my works a bit sloppy