Column to floor shift question?

Are you changing out the column or just leaving the column shift stuff in? If so changing to a floor shift column is fairly easy, just find a floor shift column and put it in. They are fairly easy to rebuild as well if you find a core. Just make sure you get the correct shaft for the type of steering you want be it manual or power. Be aware there are different lengths and couplers for whichever application you choose so do your homework before buying a column if that's what you are doing.

As far as putting a shifter in - are you putting a console in? Most aftermarket shifters are cable operated but as you know, the factory floor shift units are not. People have made after market shifters fit into a console but it seems like a lot of extra work. You have to make the shifter mechanism work within the console brackets, there might be some modification to do.

The A.M. shifters are probably a little better too so it's probably easiest to go that route but obviously it won't appear 100% factory correct.

The linkages are a pain, I agree. There are so many different combinations of bellcranks and pivots etc. it can get confusing and expensive when piecing it together. A.M. shifter is the way to go unless you can find a 100% correct console and shifter setup for your car which as you know is hard to find.