Yes, your thinking is wrong. Three inches shorter column AND a flat wheel will give more clearance. This is why it was mentioned that you may drag your knuckles.
When they shorted the column, they stretched the wheel so the rim remained in the same position. If they didn't stretch the wheel it would be farther away, as in this proposed case.
These trucks are a perfect application for a tilt column donor.

Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn