With an isolated output, a dc-dc converter is fine - ie, the radio's 0V (not +12V) is tied to the +6V chassis. That does mean 18V difference (or up to 21.6V if supplies were normal max dc battery voltage of +14.4 & -7.2V) between the two "hot" supplies should there ever be some bad interconnection, but speaker grounds are still ok (e, if speakers have one side to chassis instead of separate + & - feeds).
But unless there is some overwhelming desire to keep it original with a 6V battery, I reckon the 12V conversion is better in the long run. IE - thinner power cables, easier and cheaper getting 12V stuff than 6V starters, coils, battery, lamps, headlamps, horns etc.
The gauges should be relatively easy to keep at 6V, and if they are traditional but newer "heating" type meters (with "mechanical" bi-metal voltage regulator if used), their polarity does not matter.
If they happen to be older coil type meters with permanent magnets, then the coils' polarity may (or should) need swapping. (If fully electro-magnetic it shouldn't matter - they are like wound stator and rotor dc motors - swap +ve & -ve and they still spin the same direction.)
HOWEVER, maybe someone would like to sanity-check my sanity on that last paragraph. Else keep an eye out for my later corrective reply.
(I am never wrong - except when I am.)
A 6V regulator could be as simple as resistors (if gauge-current is reasonable constant, and I'd suggest 1 resistor per gauge in case one goes open), though maybe a ~6V regulator is better - find out the current required (per gauge or for the lot; 1A & 1.5A 6V & 8V regulators are common).
FYI - I haven't 6V converted, but my conversions from generators to alternators were well worthwhile. As to yet later conversion from external voltage-regulated alternators to the "all in one" alternator and regulator - well, I still can't stop raving about the advantages! (That was only a few years ago.)
FYI2 - my "all in one" alternator interfaces simply to the existing generator wiring in my ute. The charge-lamp L-circuit (of D+) simply connects to the original charge-lamp from the old regulator. The S (Sense) wire goes straight to the battery +12V. [I don't use single-wire D+ type alternators - they can only sense the alternator's output rather than the battery which is what alternator voltage should be based on. Besides, you can easily increase the alternator voltage with an S-type - just insert a diode with the same voltage drop you want to boost by. And if the battery is in the boot/trunk - no worries - just extend the thin S-wire to its +12V; Sense wires usually take under 20mA.]
If it's a 3-wire S&L with Ign terminal, then the Ign +12V just has to be +ve enough - it doesn't do the voltage sensing. [But if a 2-wire L&I (Ign) type, then the Ign +12V to it has to be close to the battery +12V. I learned the hard way - Ign +12V may not be near the battery +12V with lights & wipers and stop lights operating! I then used the Ign +12V to turn on a relay that connected battery +12V to the alternator's (regulator's) Ign terminal.]
Sorry if the last confuses you, but it should cover all most alternator scenarios.... It's then just a case of finding a mechanically suitable alternator. [But I recommend 2-wire S&Ls, unless a simple single-wire D+ is okay (ie, no voltage drop between the alternator B/B+ output and the battery).]