Dash???

[8man]

Ok, here is the PO hack job on the dash.
IMG_1973 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
He hacked it out, including the support at the bottom.
IMG_1972 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

So I picked up a 54 dash that was in good shape when I saw it. Then they cut it out.
IMG_1971 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

This is where it is supposed to go to the A pillar, he just cut it off in the back of the curve. That is at the back next to the A pillar. There is NO WAY to weld or finish back in that valley.
IMG_1970 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

This is for the 54 and I don't know what to do. Do I try to cut out the center section for a patch and try to make that smaller piece fit just where he cut it out, or do I try to figure out a way to replace the entire dash by cutting the old dash out a little inside the outline of the one I just picked up? Either way I will have finish welds on the dash, but with the patch I will have less welds to finish.

I'm leaning toward the patch, but wanted to see what others thought.