Shifter Removal

do you have to remove the entire top plate and with shift forks to pull the shifter on a 9 direct?I need to pull my shifter so I can cut the booger welded extention off but when looking all I see is a threaded rod and nut on the passenger side of the shift tower.Hope there is an easy way to remove the shift lever so I can take it to work and try to grind the weld out saving the original threads that I hope are still on there.

This is in a 1980 GMC General with Lo in bottom left 1st is middle up(also labeled 5th but is really 6ths if you count lo as 1st).

 

Not a clue on the brand.Haven't been able to get it to a carwash to try and hose off the years of gunk.I know it is a wide SOB 9 speed direct drive behind a 6V92TA.Don't see a tag anywhere on the tranny so either it is under the slime or MIA.But I got the shifter off.Had to pull the tower held on by 4 bolts.Got pictures of the welds and the entire shifter.

 

oh yea,After I remove that junk on top here is what is going back on for a shift knob.