Rebuilding and shortening original steering column 1969-1972

[dmjlambert]

I have a 1969 CST/10 pickup with TH400 automatic transmission and standard non-tilt steering column.

Are any of you folks who are experienced with doing things such as replacing bearings and shortening the column including cutting the relocated hole for neutral safety switch and backup lights switch and welding the little tab on the inner column offering the service of rebuilding a non-tilt and shortening?

My bearings are needing replacement and I would like my steering column to be 2-1/2 inches shorter so the steering wheel is further away from me. That work can be done to my steering column or if somebody has a steering column for me to just buy that would also be fine, or taking mine as a core if necessary is also fine. I am interested in an original non-tilt steering column from pickup/suburban/blazer, rather than an aftermarket one or one from some other vehicle model like a van. If it makes a difference my truck is saddle color and the interior is saddle.

I am in the Houston Texas area and sometimes travel to other major Texas cities. If we are far apart then I suppose we can ship back and forth.