56 Ford steering column options

I have recently picked up a 56 Ford Customline and starting to do some work on it. It has had the front brakes changed over to Granada stuff and the rear changed as well. I read some of the threads about modifying the suspension by adding the Aerostar coils up front which we completed today and curious what everyone is doing for steering columns. My current column is a manual shift on the column but I will be going to a 4 speed with a floor shifter. Do I leave the column as it is and remove the shift lever,linkage and clean it up ? or is there a "clean " swap out there? I have several vintage Mustangs and I know everyone talks about swapping out the "spear-o-matic" columns in them and noticed this one is of similar design. Any suggestions for a column and box replacement?

 

My 56 Fairlane, I just took all the linkage **** off and smoothed the collar where the shifter was. The angle is good so you don't need a tilt or anything.

 

Other than a universal Ididit tilt and contending with how to modify the steering shaft, how 'bout staying vintage and shortening a column from a '56 Mercury, filling in the shifter lug, cutting a new plate to replace the PRNDL indicator if from an automatic, then blend it into the '56 Ford dash with a new cover for the column-to-dash connection?

I've never liked the chintzy-looking two-tube jobs on '40s-'50s Fords versus the single tube on a '55-up Chevy. I plan on doing this with a '55 Merc column/wheel for my '55 Victoria but leave the shifter on the column. I think I have to shorten the tubes 4" to match the Ford's length.

 

Thanks for the ideas. I bought a swing-away complete column set up out od a mid 60's t-bird on ebay and want to look at it when it gets here but I know like with my 65/66 Mustangs they use the same tube and shaft style but in 67 they went to a conventional box with rag joint and collapsable shaft deal. I have one of those we are putting in my 66 but not sure if the box would work on the 56 or not. Will keep everyone updated.

 

That's my thought if I cant get any of the other combinations I have to work.

 

Here's a pic with the Aerostar springs and the rear shackles flipped. Still have to do a small block on the rear springs.