Your best bet is to go with aftermarket Gauges, $400-$700 all your wires are marked where to install. Easy !
Or swap out dash, change harness $1,500-$2,500 PIDA ! pain in Da A$$

 

I have decided to try to cut out the stuff that was welded on. Here are a couple more pics. Does anyone see anything missing??? Looks like it had rust issues as when I look up there are rust holes with sheet over it. They covered the speaker holes but that isn't an issue as I'll put small speakers under the dash. I am worried about supports and where the windshield sits??? If someone needs a specific pic, ask for it and I'll try to take it. Thx, guys Howie

 

If I cut out the tin, does it look like most of the brackets and mounting areas are there? Thx, Howie

 

Yes looks like brackets are all there, take your time ! Best bet is to start taking off paint and bondo off, to see how it was welded on. I would leave the top of dash alone, it's possible the bottom of windshield channel was rusted out

 

I have been a cutting and grinding fool. Outside of my expertise but it looks like I have cut out everything that didn't belong. NOW,,,, what part if any of this metal is exposed when the dash face plate and pad is installed?? Is most of the metal that I ground on exposed???? Am I going to have to really smooth it our and paint it??? Hope not but need to know, Thanks.
Also, am needing the dash pad, anybody know of one I can get? I am not installing the A/C but would just put a blank in the whole if I needed too.
thx
Howie

 

all that you have ground, I would DA sand with 80 grit then with 180 grit, get some spray bomb primer. prime it, let it dry and prime it couple times. Just make sure all deep scratches are gone, if not prime it couple more times, and then sand with some 400 grit and paint it .