Gauges for 53 Chevy

Sorry if this has been answered elsewhere (I tried the search function. Really.)

Got a 53 Chevy 5 window, which I need to upgrade with new gauges.  The holes in the dash are 5 1/4" openings.  They don't appear to have been modified at all. The old gauges are 5 1/8" wide.  When I search for gauges that fit this model, I get ones that fit a 4 9/16" opening or ones that fit a 5 1/2" opening.  Does anyone know what the actual size of new gauges I would need?  I'd hate to spend 600 plus $ and then have to send them back because they don't fit.

Thanks for all your help in advance.  

I have a 53' 5 window also, just finished restoring. My gauges are already installed so I measured the gauges in the dash, it measured 5 and 1/4 inches on the out side rim of the bazel. I know the gauges are 5 inches. If you are going retro, check out Classic Parts. You can buy rebuilt one's a lot cheaper than getting yours rebuilt.  

I got my gauges from classic industries.  You will need the mounting rings from the original gauges.  

Any of the 5" quad style gauges will work for you and you have two options for mounting them.  The first is to use the aluminum adapter rings to fit them to the dash holes but IMO that looks like crap.  The method I used was to take the original gauge buckets, remove the old internals, cut the back off, insert the new gauges from the front, use the stock bezel and reinstall into the dash.

Here is how I did it on my 54.  Even though the dash holes on your 54 are a bit smaller this technique should work.

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/19808900

WHATEVER YOU DO - DO NOT USE THE DOLPHIN 5" QUADS.  I did and it was a mistake.  The speedo is nice is brightly lit but the guage is very dim.  Dolphin KNOWS about this and sells them anyway.  Their FIX is to add resistors to the speedo to dim it down to the low level of the guages.  POOR QUALITY.

Check out the quads made by Vintage.  Their Woodward style is pretty slick and does not cost as much as the other options.  Here is their site.  http://www.newvintageusa.com/  

I used dakota digital in my 50 gmc and they fit proper and they are very easy to install and program.But it depends what look you want stock or mod.  

Good to know houston54, thanks for the heads up.