Hey Hank! What a coincidence! I am currently talking with Astro Transmission down in Florida (they seem to make this stuff their specialty) about different tail section options. I also did notice that the Mustang tail section does move the shifter forward to a "better" spot and the S-10 tail moves it too far forward. My motor is a Chevy 350 so I am not sure if this also impacts the location of the stick shift since the original motor in my car would have been a Pontiac 350. Not sure if they all have the same distance measurement from where the motor mounts on the car frame to where the transmission bell attaches to the back of the motor.

I am also considering using some type of offset shifter that can re-position the stick forward a few inches. Did you ever consider this? Something like in the pic below, maybe with a more horizontal run to not interfere with the console.

Any pics that you are willing to post would be greatly appreciated.