If you
If you are happy where it sits, hell, take an angle grinder with a diamond blade and cut a notch where the rod needs to slide out to, give yourself the room you need, and be done with it.
You'll be okay open up top for now, but you will want a top plate, storm collar and cap to finish it off.
Agreed on doing a variation on this. An angle grinder won't take the notch deep enough but if I could cut off the L handle and drill a hole through it'll work.
The length of the rod is roughly 6" longer than the photo. So about 8" total. Tough to say because I'm not gonna move it anytime soon.
Was planning on tomorrow afternoon or maby the weekend to put the cap and color on. I have the hardware.