The cluster is out, you won't believe what I found

First of all, If you had only a pin or 3 damaged I would offer to properly repair those for you. There will be very little space on the back side of the board for anything that wouldn't create a short to the housing. Soldering pins to the copper trace on the board is a common DIY practice. The downside, The pin will take copper trace with it, peel it right off the board, next time its pulled. Some owners pay the coin for new reproduction boards. That is the most sensible route if the board you need is reproduced ( not all are ).
One other route to consider... Crimping ring terminals on the few wires that can attach directly to gauge posts ( see amp gauge connections ) is simple enough.
To do the lighting with wires you would need a number of alternative/substitute rubber bulb sockets that have 2 wires. You would connect those supply wires and grounds. In the end, your board only serves to resize the holes for the components.
E-body and a few others never had circuit boards. They are wired pretty much as I've described. Wire color/locations are permanently scribed in those housings.