Networking using a 2Wire513 gateway and a Linksys router for greater signal distance

[bhowie00]

Hi, I am a AT&T customer with a 2Wire513 modem/router which is wired to one desktop PC and wireless to two laptops.

I have an old Linksys WRT160N router that I purchased right before AT&T sent me the 2Wire Gateway. My laptops are too far away from the gateway to get a good, steady Internet connection.
Is there a way to use my Linksys router between my two laptops and my gateway to provide the laptops with Internet, without the router having to be plugged into a phone jack?

I think what I need to do is install DD-WRT on my Linksys router first, but I'm unsure of where to go next. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks