Can you use a steering column from a manual shift in an automatic??

 

Yes.

The manual one will have one extra feature: a little lever you have to push to take the key out, to replace the park function. Also you'll need to put the auto's safety/BU light switch on the manual column.

 

Where's the switch at? Internal? I was didn't know the release lever was a manual shift thing. I just figured it was there on the earlier models. Thanks again RB!

 

It mounts on top of the column, right before the firewall. It looks like a ring of terminals part way around the column. IIRC there are 2 plugs going into it; one for the backup lights, and one for the park-neutral safety switch.