Top shift, the stickshift is in the top of the T case. This makes it easy to turn this case into a crawl box.
Forward shift, there is a diferent shift fork that puts the shifter in the tailhousing of the transmision. These can be adapted to a top shifter, and Marlin sells the parts. I have been running this way since I got mine many years ago. (#285) When you convert it you could also put a short throw shifter in since you need to buy the parts anyway. He didn't have that when I did mine, but I saw the new pieces when I was there last month, Nice!