Hey Jerry, You probably should have went ahead and drove that Firetruck another 1500 miles to my place in Utah.....then you wouldn't have to mess up any knuckles working on it! :-)
That is a very nice looking truck you have. My Dad used to drive for Allied Van Lines in the early 60's and I remember rigs just like your truck being worked in that business. On the shifter question. The other good thing about using a Hurst, the footprint is a bit smaller. My original shifter is a brute and very tall too tall for the shift handle. It almost reminds me of an ape hanger handle bar on a H-D. I will have to determine if I will modify the height and also what to do about the lock out device that is currently not complete. I may try to refurbish and return it to service.
Alan