1969 f100 4X4 Slipping steering column???

[stldesign]

We bought this truck a few months ago and within days had it torn down for updating.

I'm not a huge guy but when I sit in it with seat all the way back the steering wheel his my stomach.

I noticed the bottom of the steering column near the floor had surface rust for a few inches and good original paint above.

It looks like the steering column has pulled up. Any ideas or suggestions?

[69Ford]

not up on 4X4's. In your observations does it look like someone converted this truck from manual steering to power steering. The column length on a manual steering is longer. Not replacing the column during conversion will bring the steering wheel further into the cab at least on a 4X2. There are several lengths of columns. In this link under steering there is a lot of info on this http://www.fordification.com/tech/technical-index.htm

[stldesign]

The reason i bought it is that it didnt have power steering etc. just a very basic truck. Ill have to do some looking but the paint at the bottom and th tight space while seated makes me think its slipped?