Rusted Lower Dash - Any Mod Ideas?

[b-mac]

While I was striping rust off my dash I discovered that the lower portion, between the ignition and the cigarette lighter has several large rust holes. The heavy rust gets up into the formed ridges in the metal.
Being a cheap-skate, I don't want to fork over the $450 LMC wants for a new dash. I'd guess I'd be into it for about half that if I bought a bead roller and tried to recreate part or all of that piece.
I've seen some guys do gauges down there.
Have any of you modified this area of your dash? Or do you have any ideas?