The steering column is incorporated into the steering gear box, so if the "column" was changed, it was an assembly that was changed.
The AD (47-55/1st) steering box is not the same as the TF 55/2nd-56. The 57-59 is 4" shorter than the 55-56. It could be that you have a unit from a 4 speed truck that was not set up for a column shift.
You could also have a mixture of shifter parts that are not compatable. Try to look at one that works correctly and see if you can see any differences.
Fred


1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes
1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes
2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans
1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine