Are you running the shifter in the as delivered location or rotating the plate so it sits forward? Might help clear the torsion bar crossmember...
As installed. I don't think moving the shifter forward will help much, there is heavy interference with the transmission and crossmember. If you have to cut the majority of the crossmember out, you might as well stick the shifter where you want it.
That upper crossmember was lowered for final install, this photo was right after welding it together.
