In regards to the console fitting.... I still have the seats and carpet out but, I have taken the part of the tunnel that I cut out,and mig welded 3 strips of 2 inch metal on the sides and top towards the firewall, made it kinda like a lid. Plan on putting it right back in place and using rivets to secure it. I was able to place the console on top of the bare metal and see the bolt holes in the middle and rear of it line up just fine with the new shifter coming up through the floor in correct position also.