Randy,
I am not sure on the battery cover, it was included when I got the vehicle and parts from Randy, not sure if that was RCR or sourced elsewhere.
Scott,
Thanks for the suggestion, I had thought about shortening it, I think I am OK with the location where it is (I have not drilled it final yet). A little more testing to ensure I am OK with it and I will go with that. I was OK with not having my hand on the top of the shifter knob and actually more comfortable gripping it from the side. With that said, the manual that I drove for the last 15 years was a "pistol grip", where you pretty much always had your hand on the side, so I am not sure if I just got in that location as a habit or what. I figured I might try the longer first (if I don't have to move it closer to the dash) and I can always shorten it if I need to be more over the top of the knob.
I guess one benefit of longer would seem to be more leverage for the cable shift, I might lose that on the side, more similiar to shortening it.