steering column question

[Old Crow]

Wow, Lowrodder, that gives me an idea(uh-oh!).
When they cut this column, they cut the shaft and jacket to the same length. I suppose I could shorten the outer jacket a bit more, find a couple of bearings to put in the bottom of the column and the top of the box(might even be a kit for this), then machine off the ends of the inner shaft to take a double D coupling like they use in the power steering kits and just put the stock shaft/column back together. Surely that'd be cheaper than a rebuilt box plus the $250 core.
Guess I'd better find out if the box is worth using. Hate to go to all that work and have the box be worn out.