Being around aircraft during school, I like the access panels they have to get to pretty much anything (not easily always mind you)
So.....I was thinking that it would be nice to cut the entire top (or close to it) off of the central tunnel that houses the shift linkage, harness and cables, etc, etc....
Nutcerts or even Dzus fasteners could be used to keep the new panels in place.
The only two areas that I see would need to be well thought out is the shifter pad and the seat belt mounting points.
I figure TimT has done this, and if so, got pictures????