hi mook the motor in your van is probably t400 pattern so a trimatic wont just bolt up to it , i would leave it in and get it running first and see if there are any problems , you have done a fantastic job on your van and it would be a shame to start cutting corners now and i would use an aftermarket shifter and if you want to go with bench seat just get your trimmer to modify it to suit a floor shift or just put standard exhaust manifolds on it. ps when is the wrecking yard going to be open again ?