AX15 and/or Twin Stick Shift Boot and Trim Ring on Top of Tunnel Only

[thatarchitect]

I am looking to swap a Blueprint 306 and AX15 into my 74. I love everything about the idea of going to a more modern manual transmission with OD except the way that the shift levers fall in the stock transmission tunnel.

It looks like the AX15 comes up a bit left of center (see Bronco script in the mat above the shifter in picture below) and the hole for the twin sticks goes all the way to the edge of the tunnel where it angles down to the floor pan.

I am basically wondering if it is possible to install the AX15 with twin sticks AND have room on the top of the tunnel (where it is horizontal) for a THIN trim ring for the boot. I am willing to fab my own trim ring so this really comes down to whether this is possible from a mechanical standpoint before large holes start getting cut out of my tunnel.

The only picture I have found in one of the Bronco Facebook groups that gives me a little hope for what I would like to do is posted below.

@JefeAZ did not do an AX15 but he did find a cool alternative for the shift boots and trim ring for the Twin Sticks in his Bronco (photos below). I have posted some photos of that below to show the direction I am looking to go. I want to take it one step further and make my own trim ring so I can keep it all on top of the tunnel. I feel like this would have a more factory look if possible.

 

[JB Fab]

Plan on some custom bending, if your twin-sticks are in the same location as the photos shown above, you will have interference with the AX-15 shifter.
We can do custom bending on our stuff if you prefer... I would also recommend twin-stick knobs that are narrower so that the rear drive shifter can be adjusted to the drivers side to gain room for the AX-15 shifter. Note we can sell our AX-15 boots (shown in first picture) Unattached to the ring for folks that want to do their own ring.

 

[Soylent]

I have that same engine and trans combo. PO cut out a large section of the drivers side tunnel for the 3 speed shifter and had a diamond plate access panel that extended the horizontal portion of the drivers side of the tunnel. You could do this with sheet metal. Would give you access to the shifters as well as the springs for the shift rails on the D20

 

[Soylent]

This is it currently. Tunnel is a mess. Plan on having a local fabricator build out the deck of the tunnel with access panel. Hopefully carpet kit will still fit.