Stop in for a cup of coffee

Ok folks looking for some info/advice, I went from power to manual steering on the Duster. I bought the power to manual adapter. Not liking the looks of the coupler and adapter combo and DEFINITELY not digging the amount of shimming it’s going to need to clear the header. So considering I’ve already done the column mods to remove the column shifter and indicator i’d rather not have to buy a manual column. Can/should I look for a manual shaft and coupler and put it in my column? Or get a manual coupler and extend my existing shaft by welding in an extension or extending the collapsible section of the shaft? Or just save up for a complete manual column? Any advice or input is greatly appreciated.
I'd just save for a complete manual steer column. There's a junk yard locally with a bunch in, I can check and see about getting one for ya.
I am. MOPAR buddy helping took the heater box home with him. I bought a rebuild kit. He had a new coil for it. He's going to rebuild it, and paint it up for me.

The previous owner had wired a small aftermarket oil/water gauge under the dash like many do. Funny he spent 5K getting the dash instrument panel completely re-done five years ago. I want to wire it while its out to use the dash temp/oil gauge and do away with the aftermarket piece.

Also the stereo speaker I though I'd need....the one here is brand new just wasn't wired in. He had some funky under the seat speaker system when I got the car...they are gone within a few days. Car also had the kick panels with stereo speakers. When I took them out they weren't wired in and looked brand new. I'll bring them to Carlisle and sell them.
shoot, I'm interested in them. Question is though, would they physically fit a 74 dart