yep, as said above, that's the difference in the pre- and post-57 column and wheel .... sometimes the stomach challenged put the early wheel on the later column to compensate, seems it'd be easier than changing columns to leave the early wheel on it .... or eat less
if you change the column, you need to get the shift rod that goes with it, pretty tough to just 'cut 3" out' of the shifter, both ends are complex shapes critical to it working and it has to be exactly the right length
it's not a big deal to change the column, nothing else needs to be messed with and they don't go 'over the fender', just jack up the front, unbolt the steering box and dash mount and pull it straight out to the ground
can't understand why folks have problems with clearance on the TF trucks tho, stomach or legs, or seeing over the wheel, I'm not skinney and have
lotsa room 
Bill
