What I did to get the shifter in my 2000.

1. Take the top all apart after getting it on ramps or if you jack it doesn't matter.

2. Remove heat shield above exhaust I think there are 6 bolt things holding it on.

3. You will see where the shifter is. It has foam on the bottom. Scrape off foam. I then stuck a box knife through it from the bottom to see where I am and needed to cut. I then used a dremel with a cut off wheel and cut out a 3 to 4" by 2.5 to 3" hole.

4. Next you can assemble the shifter and make sure it doesn't hit the bottom floor of the tower where you cut out. I would leave the center console off till you are finished with the bottom half.

5. This step can be up to you I made a piece of plastic to go over the hole. I plan on getting some foam later to go on before the plastic. I don't think much water would get up where it is anyway but just in case.

6. Put the heat shield back on and finish reassembling the shifter and console.

7. Have fun shifting half the throw!

You may be able to cut it out from the top but it will probably be more difficult. Good luck!

Green 2000 SVT #1166 mods-K&N and Custom heat shield, optimized y pipe, Magnaflow center resonator, DMDhttp://www.geocities.com/savinoss/Cars.html -Wifes car 99 Mystique V6 5 spd