Building a steering column

[Matt_50]

Project: 1950 Chevy 3100

Donor: 1984 Chevy c10, automatic trans


Ok guys I need some help. As I mentioned in another thread my donor truck will be hauled off soon so I need to take a few last things off so once I pull the motor and trans I can get it gone. Master cylinder, wiring ECT.

I'm going to take the steering column out too, I think I can maybe use some parts from it. The 50's steering and suspension are out. In it's place is the 84's front suspension. Includes power steering gearbox and linkage.

I do not want to use the 84's steering column. I just don't think it looks good. A few weeks ago I cleaned up a steering column from a 55 Belair. It looks right and it has auto shift on the column as well as turn signal. The 50 had a clamped on turn switch...

So the Belair was a straight shaft that went to the gearbox. Someone already cut it, and my shaft extends a few inches past the end of the column. The shaft couldn't move around, just has a spongy thing to keep dirt out.

Do I need a bearing on the end of the column?

Can I use the shaft, or part of shaft from the 84? To extend to the box?

How to connect the two? Weld? Pin it? If it has a joint, I would definitely need a bearing on the column to keep it from moving around right?