Appreciate the replies. Yesterday with stick out of truck, I cut 1/4 " below threads and then cut out 5 inches from top segment. Then appropriately prepped/mig welded the threaded and stick back together. This makes it near identical length/height as the crasbox shifter. All is good now and I really like the sm420.
Besides the bellhousing change and pedal bracket fabrication....
Driveline had to be shorthened 1.5 inches. Rear lip on bellhousing support had to be trimmed flush. Emergency brake lever moves 1 inch to passenger side. OEM type floor pan gets a little stretching.
