If you are insistent on leaving the suspended ceiling, I would find some new
metal grid material and matching panels. If the panels can't be matched it
isn't real expensive to replace all the panels.
Now here is where it gets creative. Take some of the old panels, use them to
fill the space you've created. You can then buy faux stained glass panels,
or just the panels used for fluorescent lights. When the time comes, you
could ad the lights.
If it were me I would replace all the panels.

Dave

"Jeff" wrote in message
om...
I'm remodeling my basement but would like to leave the suspended
ceiling in for accessing wiring. However, I've knocked out a wall
(actually just goes along the stair line now) and therefore if I were
to hang the suspended ceiling, you would be able to see a 5-6" gap
between the joist and suspended ceiling. This only happens on one
side of the room. Is there any way that I can eliminate this gap or
am I just better off throwing drywall on the ceiling. Thanks in
advance.