Steering u-joint doesn't reach?

[INTMD8]

Working on my 69 Charger. When I got it the column was in the car but unrestored.  Had no dowel pin holding the u-joint to the steering box.

I've since rebuilt the column and now that I'm re-assembling, it seems the u-joint is pulled all the way out (to where the internal blocks are hitting the rubber seal and pushing on the seal retainer.

At that point I'm still 1/4in away from lining up the retaining pin.

Column has a -bump- which stops it from going any further into the engine bay at the firewall seal plate.

Any suggestions as to why this may be happening? Thanks!!   

[70 sublime]

If it never had the dowel pin in the lock on the gear box joint when you got it maybe it never was the right steering column ?
Think power steering vs manual steering are different lengths

[375instroke]

If it never had the dowel pin in the lock on the gear box joint when you got it maybe it never was the right steering column ?
Think power steering vs manual steering are different lengths

They're a few inches different.  This sounds like an inch or so.  Perhaps the column was dropped on the end, and collapsed, pushing the inner shaft further into the outer tube.  Try pulling it out.

[INTMD8]

If it never had the dowel pin in the lock on the gear box joint when you got it maybe it never was the right steering column ?
Think power steering vs manual steering are different lengths

They're a few inches different.  This sounds like an inch or so.  Perhaps the column was dropped on the end, and collapsed, pushing the inner shaft further into the outer tube.  Try pulling it out.

Going to give this a try, it's pretty close. Thanks!!

[INTMD8]

  Perhaps the column was dropped on the end, and collapsed, pushing the inner shaft further into the outer tube.  Try pulling it out.

Spot on, this fixed it. Thank you 

[375instroke]

Cool.