I have a 00 SVT (same exact shifter tower)
Even the 98.5 & 99 used the exact same pivot assembly (slightly different tower top piece - That's it!)
What I said stands.
If you could not get the dowel all the way in. It was hung up on the alignment ridge. I've seen it happen before. (one took me like 15 minutes to get it aligned correctly and fully flush)
