steering column issue

[oldsub86]

I picked up a power steering box for my truck a couple of summers back in a junk yard and was not sure if the rest of the setup was the same so I pulled the long shaft out of the truck and took it too. Looking at that 3 foot long steel shaft makes me wonder if I would get skewered if I am ever in a serious accident with the truck. Most newer vehicles have a more collapsable column to prevent injuries in an accident.

Has anyone changed the steering setup to something more modern, flexible, safe etc? Anyone have any ideas on how one might address that issue? I had an 86 Suburban for a long time but I don't really recall what the steering column looked like in it. Is a newer one swappable or is it any better?