Instrument cluster connector terminals

The OEM female terminals in the inst' panel connectors were not round but oval shaped. A close look at the round pins reveals only 2 thin lines where female contacted male. Better plan is soldering wire copper pads where the male pins are removed and use modern connectors slightly farther away from the circuit boards. For thosee with male pins far too close to top edge of board, the male pins are too easily damaged anyway. Factory service manual states to pull the inst' panel outward and tilt it face downward to access and disconnect harness connectors. Just asking for trouble. We dont need to be as short/stingy with wire length as factory was.