is a 3spd.man. a 1 pc. steering col.?

[BUXMAN66]

my truck is an original 3 spd. manual on the column. a previous owner changed it over to a automatic w/column shift.i believe the column is still the original,but has been modified to utilize the arm and eyelet on the shaft at the firewall to change positions of the turbo 350(prnd12). everything has been disconnected and i can't get the column to separate.looks as if the shaft is a one piece,from steering wheel to the rag joint.i drilled out the shear pins in preparation of having to colapse the length.but crapola!can't get it to separate! am i gonna have to get the sawzall out and cut the shaft,to get the steering column out...and then go to a junk yard and get the proper intermediate shaft?was hoping that under the clamp coupling i would find the female end of the intermediate shaft and put my van's male shaft into it.anyone help me on this?thanks,buxman66.

[fine69]

Dont hack it. Your column is a 1 peice shaft. 67-68 are 1 peice. Take the steering wheel off. Then you should be able to remove it. If it pisses you off i will come down this weekend and help you get it out. Dont get mad and screw it up. Let me know if you need me to help you more.

[BUXMAN66]

yo fine!! thanks for the reply!! phew!! that fuc$er 'bout had me pullin' what little hair i got left, out! so,what's the remedy?even after you pull the s.w. .......wher's it gonna separate at on the shaft at the engine side of the firewall?

[fine69]

That the sucky part. It DOESNT separate. Its one long freakin' shaft. Two bolts at the rag joint on the PS box. Remove the flat bracket that bolts onto the inner fenderwell. Take the steering wheel off. It will come out.

[BUXMAN66]

huh,...i'll be damn.....woulda never figgered it would come out THAT way. so,.......i'll still need to get the proper intermed. shaft then,huh?

[fine69]

Yep. You gotta get the right "shaft". I have some.

[BUXMAN66]

shoot me your ph.# again,think i misplaced yours.i'll give you a call and see if your busy sunday.gotta work 11a-5p saturday. btw....don't know if i'm rememberin' a "flat bracket on the inner fenderwell". is that the one down at the frame that the steering shaft passes through on it's way down to the rag joint?