You could cut the bottom, but I tried cutting the side and had a heck of a time getting it right, matter of fact, never did. I bought the lower part for maybe $50 and cleaned and sprayed it black to match the upper I had and it worked out pretty good. If I hadn't lucked into a 4-speed console at a swap meet, I was planning on converting an Auto by making a top plate out of wood and cutting the lower. Only thing I couldn't figure out was how to get a template for the top plate. If you decide to make a top plate, I could trace my plate for you.
P.G.