If the gear linkage is cable operated, you can virtually move the whole gear lever assembly to where ever you want to. Hand brake will be converted to hyadraulic soon so it can be placed further back.
I moved the seat position backwards so my feet are confortable with the pedals. I extended the steering wheel backwards using a lifeline quick release (50mm) and a deep dish wheel (90mm). The gear lever was a little low and far away so I attached an extension of around 100mm. Its better reached now but the shift throw has increased considerately. The seat front part is fully lowered almost touching the buldge in the floor pan and the seat vertical part is almost 90deg in order to get my upper body closer to the gear lever.
Another way is to remove the buldge, lower the seat even more, remove the gear lever extension and bend it a little backwards.
Another question, did anyone try removing that buldge and cross member, and what did they replace it with, did they have problems with the exhaust pipe clearance and strength of the new floorpan (without cross member) ?