Got it done...and it was easier than I thought. Thanks for the help Yak, you saved me time hunting around.

Turned out that I was able to locate the solder joints and cut the grounds by the shifter and fader.

Cut the fader out and bought some speaker wire to extend all the wires up to the dash.

It was fairly easy...and I tested thoroughly with my wiring diagram and battery in hand.

Done deal.