Got it pretty well back together but I have managed to break the needle off the shifter. Currently waiting for the JB weld to set before I put the cover back on. Bit of a mongrel job putting it back together; because a previous owner has been rough on the plastics and a few clips are broken off. Put a bit of black silicone on the gear lever shroud where a clip was broken off. Should be able to take the clamp off that in an hour or so. Plan is to get it all back together, just not bolt the wheel on tight as I still need to see if it's centred. That's a 10min job finishing that so I will slip the wheel on and finger the nut up so I don't lose the wheel when testing it for centre. Once I get my drive shaft sorted and back in I will then finish the wheel install properly. Reckon that will be it for today. Really glad I didn't attempt this job at my finace's place as I would have been in trouble; I would have gotten stuck without having access to all my tools and gear.
I was gonna look at the NSS but that can wait until next time I need to not be tired before looking at getting that working properly. For now I can still get the ute started, just sometimes takes a wiggle and slide of the leaver.