I really don't know what you're dealing with. According to the catalog all 4WD automatics use the same column from s/n U60,001 through 1977, F100, 150, 250. power steering, manual steering doesn't matter.
See if you can find any engineering numbers on the column and post them, I'll see if I can ID the column.

 

Couldn't find any numbers on the shaft. The only place I could find any numbers is on the housing where the signal light switch is located. The number on it is D4TA-3511-CWA. The shifter collar looks like it has been changed, it is a different color than the rest of the column. The part above the collar that the number is on appears to be original.

 

Take some measurements and some pics and I'll send you whatever you need. Just cover the shipping. I was able to piece together a column due to different broken pieces out of a 73 2wd f150, a 77 4x4 f150 and a 78 4x4 f250.

 

3524 is the BASIC part number shown in parts catalog illustrations for every steering shaft from Model A's thru today.

The text section of the parts catalog is required to get the complete part number by adding the prefix and suffix to the basic part number.

4WD: Upper steering shaft with/without P/S makes no difference! 2WD does make a difference. P/S first offered for F100/250 4WD in 1973.

D1TZ-3524-C .. Upper Steering Shaft-36 3/8" long: 1971/72 F100/250 4WD - 1973 F100/250 4WD before serial number S40,001.

D3TZ-3524-F .. Upper Steering Shaft-36 3/8" long: 1973 F100/250 4WD from serial number S40,001 - 1974/75 F100/250 4WD.

D6TZ-3524-B .. Upper Steering Shaft-32 5/16" long: 1976/77 F100/250 4WD.

D8TZ-3524-A .. Upper Steering Shaft-Use with Tilt Wheel-32 5/16" long: 1978/79 F100/350 2WD & 4WD.

D8TZ-3524-C .. Upper Steering Shaft-Use without Tilt Wheel-32 1/8" long: 1978 F150/250 4WD & 1979 F350 4WD.

1967/77: NSS located on steering column / 1978/79: NSS located on transmission. A/T first offered for F100/250 4WD in 1973.

D5TZ-3B676-B (replaced C7TZ-3B676-A) = 1967/75 F100/250 4WD lower steering shaft and coupler is composed of multiple pieces.

This coupler connects to the input shaft of the steering gear with a clamp and thru bolt.

1976/79 F100/250 4WD lower steering shaft and coupler is a one piece assembly. A rag joint bolts to its lower flange, then attaches to the input shaft of steering gear.
D3TZ-3511-C .. Steering Column Flange-Use with M/T / Marked: D4TA-3511-CWA = 1973 F100/250 2WD/4WD & F350 from serial number S40,001 / 1974/77 F100/250 2WD/4WD & F350.

 

Thanks.

I am still a little confused. So for every year power steering was available the 4wd upper shafts are the same for power or manual steering.

They are different lengths up through the years though. For example a 74 upper shaft is longer than a 77 upper shaft.

If I have a upper shaft that is 36 3/8" long it won't work well in my 77 F150. I need a 32 5/16" long shaft

Is this correct?

Is the part number anywhere on the shaft?

 

Stop overthinking things!
The power steering systems in 4WD trucks through '77 use the same column whether its manual or power steering.
2WD trucks use different length columns for manual or power steering.
In regards to your original question. You can do what you want to do, provided the 2WD column is from a manual steering car.
To answer your other question, Ford hasn't put the actual part number on any parts since the 1950's. Any numbers that you do find are "engineering numbers" or casting numbers. The engineering numbers can be crossed over to the actual part number.

 

Bill has identified 5 different numbers for 4x4 upper shafts for 73-79 4x4's.

When I see over 4" difference in shaft lengths. (all for 4x4's)
73-75= 36 3/8"
76-77= 32 5/16"

I have to ask if they are compatible or are there other components that need to be changed to make it work. 4" is a big difference!

Is the lower shaft shorter on the earlier trucks?

 

Your original question was could you take the guts out of a 73-75 4WD column and put them in a 76-77 2WD column. The answer was, and still is, yes, you can, as long as the 2WD column is for manual steering.
Where you're going off track is, the 4WD guts need to match the truck you're puting the column in. What length the shaft is on a 78, 79, 75, or whatever doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is the vehicle you're working on.
Stop overthinking this and just concentrate on the information that pertains the year of the truck you're working on. Everything else is unecessary information that will just cloud the issue and confuse you further.

 

I'll try and cut to the basics.
The 2WD with manual steering, the 4WD with power assist steering and the 4WD with manual steering from s/n U60,001 through 1977 all use the same steering column tube. This means that the "guts" from any one of these columns will fit the other's column tube, regardless of the steering shaft length.
What determines the length of the shaft that you need to use is the truck you're working with.

 

I have a 1977 F150 4x4, automatic power steering. I want to change the column back to original, it currently has a 78 or 79 tilt column in it. I recently purchased a 4x4 auto column out of a 73- 75.

Above is the first line in my first post.

The truck I am working on is a 77.

The guts I have are out of a 74.

If the shaft is considered part of the guts then as per Bill they are different therefore they do not match the guts of the truck I am working on.

Correct?

 

Okay, gotcha.
And this is what you asked:
My question is (finally) can I get a 2wd column out of a 76 or 77, remove the shaft and install the shaft from the 73/75 4x4 column into it.

Because you're working on a '77 and not a 73/75 truck this is the shaft you need to use:
D6TZ-3524-B .. Upper Steering Shaft-32 5/16" long: 1976/77 F100/250 4WD.

 

Thanks for your patience Mike.

I will keep looking for the correct column. Hard to find.