Welded in a dakota front end to the frame of my 56 dodge pickup. I want to move the steering wheel 3" further from the dash. I made a sleeve that fits over the original steering rod that is inside the original steering column with the original steering wheel. The inner rod is about .760 diameter with a .460 hole running through the middle. Horn wires were in it. So, I would rather bolt stuff together than weld. Any opinions if a 3/16 or 1/4 hole perpendicular to the steering rod would reduce the strength too much? I would cut the rod between the steering box and end of column and add the 3" sleeve.

I assume you intend on using the original 56 wheel and the top section of the hollow tube the wheel mounts to.
I always have concerns about drilling a hole through a hollow shaft in the steering, but then, the Dakota column has a hole through the hollow shaft on the "Double D" part of its steering shaft. The difference being, the Dakota is a Double D, where the original 56 shaft is round. I would want the smallest hole through that shaft that you can put a grade 8 bolt in.

How do you intend on doing the horn wire? If it comes through the shaft that is connected to a solid shaft (bolted or welded), it certainly won't pass through the steering box like the original 56 horn wire did. Gene

Thanks for the reply. I wired a button for the horn. Looking to add length to the steering rod to give me a little more room to get in and out of the seat.

Would (2) 1/8" spring pins about an inch apart be okay?