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I've got a 37 Chevrolet 1/2 ton pickup and recently had the interior re-upholstered. In so doing, and in order to do a very nice job, the seat back was beefed up somewhat. The stock seat back was very sparsely padded. After having a beautiful job done, I find myself sitting very close to the steering wheel while seated in the seat. The thought occurred to me that this couldn't be the first time this has happened and most likely someone in the past has considered or has cut the steering column and steering shaft enough to make the seating situation more comfortable. I'm about two inches away from the steering wheel with the seat back adjusted completely back.

Any comments regarding this idea and how much to take off the column?

Thanks!

All you'd need to do is cut the inner and outer shaft then reattach the splined end for the wheel to the inner shaft and reinsert the mast bearing, etc. This would also lower the wheel too though.

I have shortened many steering shafts on 1941-46 truck boxes.
I cut and weld them just above the worm.
I do this mainly to 1 1/2 ton boxes, which have a longer steering shaft, to put them in 1/2 ton trucks.
BTW are you still using a 37 steering box?
If so this would be a good time to swap it out for a much improved 1941-46 box. The only problem is 1937 was the last year to use a key on the shaft to steering wheel. That is another reason I cut and weld steering shafts, to put 37 shafts on a 1941-46 box.