Could always go with the b-body bench pistol-grip shifter, it's longer. I have a friend that has a Road Runner that he does exactly that. When he knows he's gonna be crusin he puts the longer throw on for comfort and if someone needs a lesson or two on you should leave this old 'MOPAR" alone he switches to the shorter throw pistol-grip shifter. He loves it. You may not want a Pistol-Grip but same idea for what your asking. Keep the bench and get or fab a longer shifter-bar. :) just my two cents.
Brad