steering column shift lever removal

Well, I figured it out. Took a good look at the shifter tube. Found two spot welds. (See picture) Drilled them out and WD-40d the tube. Started tapping the lower shift lever and low and behold, it slid off. Cleaned up the inside of the outer tube with a wire wheel and the above bearing went right in. Had to tap the tube, for a set screw, to hold the bearing in-place. Cleaned up the bulkhead bracket and the bottom end of the outer tube, primed and painted them. Just waiting for everything to dry. Then re-install the steering column.
Thanks, everyone, for all your help.