shift rod disconnecting?
 

How does one turn the shift rod down, and push it forward?

Take the circlip off that attaches it to the lever. Cut the safety wire where the back of the rod attaches to the selector rod at the gearbox, and remove the conical screw. Go back to the interior of the car, rotate the rod 90 degrees clockwise, and stuff it forward (crunching up your insulation block in the process).