WhirleyBird:
My wife has the same plane (she's learning) and is still in it's original trike configuration.
I just went out to the garage and took a look at hers and it seems you could put a 1/2"x1" hardwood block across the insde of the fuse bottom (howerver long you need it to fit snuggly) just forward of the former behind the fuel tank and drill holes to accept the landing gear wire. Just make sure you off-set the holes so the wires can cross.
With the 1/2" block you will have plenty of wood to screw the gear retainers to the bottom and also alllow you to cut a notch to accept the wire in the existing fuse bottom.
HMMMMMM I have some aluminum landing gear from an old plane laying around somewhere. LOL
I buy my fuel from Tower by the case.
I'm only 40 mins from Allentown, 30 from my LHS where I'll buy fuel in a pinch.

Good Luck on your endeavor.
Please re-balance the plane before flying it.

Tom