Steering wheel swap gone wrong!

[PorkChop659]

Guys I need help, I have a 71 with a manual column. My neighbor was moving and gave me a steering column out of a 90's C1500 that has a nice stock 4 spoke steering wheel. Well considering my stock wheel was trashed, dry and breaking to pieces, I thought it would be cool to change out the steering wheel! Off with the old, slapped on the "new" one and boom! Looks good, feels better, smaller however still easier to turn (no power steering) BUT for some reason, the shafts moved forward about 3/4"...? At first it was no big deal, and the 3/4" helped in the ride comfort. It seemed like all was right with the world....THEN I noticed the bottom bearing flopping in the wind, and the gear selector now has so much slack, it will hang up EVERYTIME so I don't drive it.
Question, and I have searched before posting, does that wheel need a kit or something to keep the shafts pulled tight?

Any help would be great, I have the truck 90%complete to put back on the road and now this!