lvl 70 prot pallys do a very decent amount of dps tbh, if im tanking dumbass MH trash my dps is nearly as good as or beter then the lower end dpsers (or the non aoe'sers) in the guild im in.

Still, if you hit 56, do some other instance to hit 58, then do the hellfire chain quests to get gear that lasts you at least as far (and passed) as nagrand. I remember my crew also being in sm gear when they where in the 50 regions. There just isnt that much gear to get around in the older content. Shouldnt be needed as well, can lvl up fine with lower quality gear, especially boxing.