Shifter Swap in progress...need assistance

[RedBarchetta]

Swapping in a 5.0 pro shifter on my 3550/TKO. Read here in a prior thread that I could remove the old shifter from the tranny (without removing the trans tunnel) by doing the following: Remove the four bolts from the top, pull the shifter mechanism out from the top then the six bolts from the main body to the tranny out, drop it down to the side.

I removed the 4 top bolts (they also secure the lower dust boot), but how does the shifter rod and ball come out on the factory shifter? There appear to be two lever stop bolts north and south...do these secure the rod/ball to the shifter housing in any way?

Also, the 5.0 Shifter is a two piece design and I'm familiar with taking it apart so that I can install without removing the trans tunnel. But it appears the factory shifter is a one piece design, i.e. the shifter housing and the base plate appear to be one piece (as I view it from the top).

Any feedback on this one would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

-Deano

P.S. A couple helpful tools to pull this off:
1. 1/2" swivel socket - using a 1/2" socket with a separate swivel attachment is too long.
2. 1/4" hex (Allen wrench) socket - 3/8" or 1/2" drive. You will need this and some leverage to break free the top 4 bolts on the 5.0 Pro Shifter. I was bending a regular Allen wrench last night just trying to loosen those boogers!