Small update here on the shifter positioning, now that I have my trim pieces put back in.
The cross-bar for the center section (where the pull-out ashtray is, in front of the fuse panel) can't be used, which means the plastic portion of the L-shaped center piece that connects to that bar via a funky C-clip needs to be removed also. The pull-out fold-down ashtray also can't be used, at least not as it is. Though I haven't done it yet, it may be quite easy to cut out the back of the "drawer" section of the ashtray, leaving just the front panel, and then superglue it shut. Yes, I just described making a blank panel to cover the ashtray hole. If you have a section of plastic sitting around you want to cut up to fit in the hole, that is essentially what I'm suggesting. I'm just describing a way that would recycle the original part, therby making it look stock. And an added bonus to this is you now have a switch panel.
The fuse panel needs to be moved up, and as far forward (back) as possible, as well. To do this, I removed the plastic fuse panel mounting bracket, and elongated the single forward-most hole (the only one that isn't elongated). I elongated it toward the rear, BTW. I then took a piece of scrap wood, about 3/8" thick, and sandwiched that between the panel mounting bracket and metal mounting location on the transmission tunnel. Speaking of that location....
Yes, you will need to cut a bit of body panel out of the transmission tunnel to fit the shifter (Ford T5 here). You will be removing a section up to the point where the platstic fuse panel mounting bracket metal mounting location (did I lose you yet?) bends upward to the screw holes (seriously, at this point you're so confused that the only way you're going to make sense of this is to go out and actually look at what I'm describing). You will be cutting into the flattened part of the metal mounting location, but only up to the first bend.
At this point, you should notice you have about 1/16" clearance between the fuse panel and the shifter extension bar. Which is in my opinion just right.
I will eventually get some pics of everything. Just as soon as I get a decent digi-cam with zoom.
BTW- as of this posting, my motor is flat broken. Something inside went CLANK on the freeway, and now I have a Swedish paperweight. I'll get it back to running, though.