Steering column 75 dart help

Hi all, ive got a shell 75 dart im working on and to be frank, im on a college budget and can't really afford some of the prices out there for steering columns. 1k for an ididit? no thanks cant do that. And i can't seem to find any used ones for sale whatsoever. Im curious if anyone knows how necessary it is to use the correct steering column. Can i go and get a steering column of from a junk yard of some beat up random car and make it work relatively easily? I'm not afraid to do some cutting and welding, and im not particular on getting era correct or body correct parts. I just want to be able to steer the thing the cheapest i can get while still being applicable. Thank you!