If you stay with the original column you would have to shorten it. There are some kits out there for this. I went with an 80's GM column. You just have to find a column with the features you want. The shaft inside the original column is a solid 3/4". The common size they use today. A DD is a 3/4 shaft cut down, a splined shaft is 3/4" or you can pin a 3/4". Originally I put in a collapsible center piece. I modified it later using a borgeson joint. They have some good info on their site on joints and shafting.