Extra steering column joint on 1970, can it be swapped with a 67 ??

[Green Machine]

Pulled the steering column from my 1970 C10. Truck originally had a 6 banger and a 3 spd manual. I noticed that there is an "extra" joint about a foot or so up from the stering box. What does that do ? My 68 does not have this nor does the floor shift column I wanted to put in there from a 67 since I have converted to a floor shift. Can I use the floor shift column from the 67 in the 70 ? Also I noticed today that the 67 column is loose on the shaft at the bottom, does that need a new bearing/bushing in there ? Thanks.
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