I took the shifter section of a junk tunnel and trimmed it up for a exposed shift rod set up. If I did a 2in trans raise I could have kept the shift rod in the tunnel with a Bus nose cone swap but I really wanted to go 3in...I guess we will see if the added inch was worth the added work..
tunnel section

Because the trans is 3in higher, the shifter needs to be too, with the Bug nose cone it puts the shift rod about 1in above the tunnel. Original shift rods are NOT straight, they have a bend for at least 2 million reasons if the internet is to be believed so I made my own.
shifter extention mock up
you can also see that the brake lever had to be cut off as well because the shift rod needed that spot

Here is the body back on with pea shooters in place.

Having a lift is great for mock up and fab work, really makes it a lot easier to pull the body, make something on the pan and set the body back down to check fitment and function!

The windshield has some scratches from the wiper blade on the drivers side so I flipped it over and put those on the inside infront of the passenger. Hopefully I will be able to buff them out because they will no doubt make me insane if they stay. I can put up with all kinds of messed up crap on a vehicle, but a jacked up windshield or lights that don't work push me over the edge!  I put the doors back together with parts from 3 other doors and a rubber kit from CIP1. I must say that building doors is about a PITA! Everything goes together in a specific order and the new rubber is not a perfect fit...and if you don't know both of those things when you start..you will probably invent a new language that consists of nothing but curse words and maniacal laughter followed closely by throwing everything within reach and ends with a grown man sobbing in the fetal position on a dirty shop floor! Ask me how I know   OK, it wasn't THAT bad but it was pretty tough.

Looking good. I was wondering what you did to raise the  shift rod. All has been revealed thanks to your pics. Your only mistake was :  CIP1. Boy !! You must have really wanted a Rat Rod to subject yourself to all that bodily and mental abuse. Over the nearly 50 years of putting up with my dealings with my favorite "Lil' Critter" I to have learned many new languages plus a few I invented.  But as the old country boy said  "you went and done it".  All you need now is my big old metal Sterling Beer ice chest .    
   Prayer for the day----Thank God for Mig welders

I don't mind cip1 but they take a while to ship. They usually have the same parts as most vendors and they are pretty cheap- cheaper than MAM. I usually order from CIP1 every now and then but its never for parts I need immediately, just usually a general order about once a year when I have enough to qualify for free shipping

 All you need now is my big old metal Sterling Beer ice chest .    
   Prayer for the day----Thank God for Mig welders

Man-o-Man you got that right!! Ice chest full-o-beer  and for me no mig=no car! If it can't be fixed with a mig welder it's not broke all the way yet

Man, that thing looks really good! I'll have to stop by the shop sometime and see it in person. I'm only about 15 minutes from you.

Thanks! Come on by, I probably won't be back for another week but then I'll be back for good. I have some early rear fenders you may be interested in, they are far from perfect but a good start.  No decklid or apron though. I may have a early rear bumper too, can't remember.