Chevy van column question

[huntrz3]

I just found a 1978 Chevy van tilt column for my 66 suburban project; that is the good news. The bad is the lower bearing. While the column should be serviceable, the lower bearing is shot (sounds of gravel when turned), a lengthy search turned up very little in the way of replacements. There seem to be lots of options for the 1" shaft and none for the 3/4" , unless you are lucky enough to find an NOS part and pay through the nose... any ideas fellow truckers?
Thanks in advance!