I'd have to measure it, but I'd estimate the bottom of my pan is at least 6 inches away from the crossmember. It may be possible to still drop the pan if you had to. I can't think of too many reasons to, unless you were going to change the rear main seal without removing the engine, difficult but possible; or to change the oil pump.
The T5's a top-loader, isn't it? I'd take some preliminary measurements to the existing shifter hole in the floor of the cab before putting that in there. Because you may end up having to modify your firewall to get the shifter in the right place.
If it was an automatic, the shifter would be on a cable and you could put it anywhere.
