My thinking on this, FWIW, is to pie-cut the forward flange area before painting - rather than pull the driveshaft out of the trans any amount.
Unless of course the openings need to be stock size.
I've done that on a Duster - flange ended up pretty much flush with the forward area of the wheelhouse.
It took close examination by someone who knew the original dimensions to see the opening was modified.
I picked up a good 2" of tire diameter room.