This is how I manage My 3 speed +od. Home-made bracket with an up-over-up (Z) to affix the shifter. Sits right in the middle of the floor and as for durability my truck is a daily driver only vehicle and I've had this configuration for 8 years.
I'm thinking you could do something similar with your four speed. Thinking outside the box...use a 3 speed shifter for the four speed, put the shifter in neutral and then use a push-pull cable for reverse. A little complicated but it would save you a few hundred bucks.
