[rgunlock]

Just updating this thread to finish the story. I did add a piece to the shifter bracket to bolt into the spot suggested. It did strengthen up the piece from what I can tell. But, the old linkage no longer fit. Not sure if my addition moved the mounting location or what, but it just didn't line up at all. So, I spent a while making a new linkage. Got it to fit fine by coming in from the back side of the shift stick. Problem is that it wasn't shifting both rails(?)/rods in and out evenly. I'd have to bump the stick a bit to get them both the same. This obviously won't work when its installed and covered with a boot so I can't see where they are at.

Broke down and took the advice offered and ordered up the ORD twin-shifters. Thanks for the help guys.