HOW BAD IS IT!

So what you're saying I can pull the trans with the cross still in place by sliding the it back into the tunnel till the shaft clears and then dropping it out? Is there enough room to do this?

I'll have to do some measuring to see it will work.
Yup. You should be able to wiggle the tranny back by dropping the rear so the cross brace clears the frame. It's tight but doable.