68 vs 72 steering column

[ksucatz]

OK guys, got a question for you. I picked up a '72 ( I think) steering column from Randy a while back, and am finally getting ready to clean up and put in my '68. So, as I was pulling the one out of the 68, I notice it is a single long shaft design, and the new one is a 2 piece (I only have the upper piece too ).
I bought the newer column for the three speed stops and my shift collar where the lever mounts was broke. Could not move the tube back and forth to get past the stops.

What was the last year for the 1 piece shaft? I am pretty sure the lower bearing is different according to LMC catalog, so maybe that is the breakoff for the design change?

So, is the 2 piece a better design in anyone's opinion? Do I need to find the lower shaft, or do I just take what is needed from the newer column and place into the older column and use the long shaft?

Thanks for the help