I'm going through similar thoughts for my '52. After much debate, I've decided to keep the original column, steering wheel and shifter arm, but I'm running an AMC Pacer front end with a Chevy 350 and 700R4 tranny. I want the interior to look as if the truck is stock, until I pop the hood! I have a couple of original columns as well as a couple of steering shafts cut away from the steering box that I'll be using for a mock up. Hopefully that will also help me figure out how much D-bar I will need and how many U-Joints to pull it all together.
