tilt steering column swap

[camelot]

Hi All, I am new to the board and am restoring a '72 GMC. The engine goes in this weekend so maybe it will be on the road soon.

I need a new steering column so I am going to put in a tilt. I wanted a factory lookin one so I was shopping around for a rebuilt one. I can find them - but no shifters. Apparently GM stopped making them and everyone is waiting for someone else to make them. I was able to find an original tilt that has not been rebuilt. Any opinions on which is better. An OEM that is iffy or a rebuilt van column.

For the van column: I know that the shaft is about 3 inches longer so I have to colapse the column that much to make it fit. The part that concerns me is the neutral safety switch. I have to move it on the van column. Is this a big deal? I couldn't find any write ups on it and any advise would be great.

p.s. Anyone from the San Jose, CA area??