82 brat after a lift install I'm having trouble getting into reverse. Gear selector is hitting the hi/lo lever. Is it possible to bend the shifter in the area that's wider? Is that just a hollow tube? 

Im pretty sure its a solid shaft, dont see why you couldnt bend it, but maybe see if you can get another shifter from the junkyard and see how well it will bend?

The big part of the shaft is not solid. The chrome section goes into it and will actually turn. It maybe some sort of way to try and reduce vibration, don't know.

 

I used a wet towel to wrap as much of it as possible then used the torch to heat the part just above the knuckle. Bent it to the left then up slightly. Seems like it's going to work.

remove all the console parts, have a buddy run the torch so you dont accidentally burn some part of the interior.  put some vice grips on the end of the shaft near the T.  have your buddy heat the shaft just after the second bend where it goes strait again and bend it up a bit.  then put the console back on (after it cools) and mark where you want to bend it back strait again.  remove console again, heat at the peak height you want, bend back down.

 

works even better if you can just remove the lever and do it on the bench