well i did it, i got a set of 2 5/8 gauges for my YJ why 2 5/8, well for me, there BIG and i can see them, measuring the exsisting width of the center panel, i had 3.05 inches for each gauge, still using a 5-cluster set-up, ,
1/4 inch alum, by 15 3/5 inches, used a roundover bitt on the bottom edge and the ends, to give it some detail and went deep enough to leave an edge-cut along the top face, milled out the 5 holes. flipped it over milled the inside out and left a 1/6 inch over all thickness. leaving 1/4 inch frame all the way around. . removed center pod from the jeep. took a 3inch hole-saw and cut out the 5 holes in the plastic face. placed the alum face on top of that, and drilled out for black allen-bolts. bolted it togeather, installed gauges, re-screwed plastic face to dash, theres just enough room to do this, using a 1/4 inch thick panel,in about a month the whole dam dasah is coming off, and im CJ-ing my YJ dash with an aluminum engin-turned flat-dash but thinking of keeping the upper defroster pad.
johnp