Dash Cap Stud Size

Common 3/16-NC hex nuts and toothed washers probably would have worked under the dash cap. Just more small hardware to fidgit with and they are capable of breaking the welded stud off of the cap if overtightened.
There are 2 different types of PAL nut. One is set for machine thread t.p.i. This type rarely seen on soft materials although the use of a PAL nut instead of a standard steel nut in any case suggests there is a weakness, be it spot weld, fiber board in the case of our gauges, whatever. Engineering at play.
The other type PAL nut is thread cutting. It travels farther per rev' creating a lag screw like thread in softer materials like pot metal and plastics.