Dash problems on my KW

On my 2004 W900, all the tabs that hold the dash panel's "speed nuts" to the dash are broken, and gone, or, are cracked, just barely there. Last April, bobtailing home after purchasing the truck, two of the gauge/switch panels just flopped open. Thinking it was just the screws stripped, I jammed them shut, and continued home. Once I got to investigating I realize that it's those tabs that are molded as part of the dash. I thought I could fab a piece of light metal, and screw it into the dash, then screw the panel screws into the strip of metal. Lots of bends, and little room to attach this metal strip to the dash, is making it harder than I thought. So many close bends causes an aluminum strip to break, and I'm afraid metal will be too heavy, (remember, screwing into plastic)

Don't really want to price a dash from KW, much less the labor time involved to R & R it.

Surely someone else has encountered this, and would appreciate any ideas.

 

Wish it would be that easy!
Those speednuts are what were originally used to attach the dash panels. My problem is that the previous owner, or a driver overtightened, and broke the molded tabs that they clip on to. There is nothing there to screw, or rivet a piece of metal in it's place. I used some epoxy and "fashioned" some tabs this afternoon, not alot there to anchor on to, but I hope it works. That stuff is stronger than I imagined, if it sticks to the plastic, problem solved!

Thanks for you'lls help, and suggestions!