42RH / A-500 in a Duster with pictures.

All the pics are a fuzzy as to the tranny clearance to the fabbed in crossmember. Would anyone have a close guesstimate on that? Also dinging in the floorpan ahead of the crossmember was mentioned. Can any of the original crossmember be left in place? I think I have figured out a way to keep most of the original metal and reinforce the it from inside the car. How bad would anyone object to a 1/2 to 3/4 by 2" lump over the tunnel? Even less with some heat pad on either side. I think it would be very strong plus fairly quick and easy. I am taking pics but as yet haven't mastered posting them. That is one of my next projects(pics). Trying to do as much preliminary work as possible to limit lift time as I will have to tow/use someone elses.

Thanks guys.