TH350 to 700R4 swap question (4x4)

[Effeckt]

So I've finally pulled the trigger on getting this swap done. I have a shop I know doing the work and the only question I have at this point is what others have done regarding the shifter extension/relocation.

The shop I'm using has a few ideas on what they will do to extend the shifter to the original location but I wanted to see what others have done. He is considering heating the shifter rod and reforming it to make it work among some other things. Let me know what you guys have done/think so I can pass them along to him.