The test subject is a '72 Satellite with factory power steering. I prefer manual steering, and so I commenced with the conversion process. I was planning on using that after market adapter which extends the steering shaft and makes up for the different splines, but then a weird thing happened!

Upon removing the steering column, the shaft slid out because the nylon pins were apparently dry-rotted and broken. I measured the amount of male DD shaft portion of the shaft at 4-1/4'' long. Out of curiosity, I reinstalled the column and pulled the female end of the shaft out to meet the new manual steering box (with the appropriate coupler) ...and according to my measurements, I still have 2-1/2'' of DD shaft penetration into the column. An earlier post reply by a Moparts member stated that missing the nylon pins was no big deal, so I'm to go with 2-1/2'' penetration... right???