another steering column puzzle??

While I had my column out during resto work, I decided to take it apart and also restore it as best I can. So I took it all apart and blasted and painted the parts. Put it back together and I am now trying to install the lower shaft coupler to steering box. What I am finding is that the inside solid shaft with the cross pin at the end needs to come down about 2" for me to line up the roll pin to install the grease packed coupler? Where I am confused is this collapsed tube thing? Mine appeared to be fine and I did see those plastic inserts. But if it did collapse that would mean it would need to get longer which contradicts the inner steel shaft as now it would be even shorter? One thing I did do was to install a tuff wheel and tuff wheel adapter. The adapter is original mopar? Would this change how far that solid shaft extends out the other end? My better judgement tells me NO. But the solid shaft is also registered in place by the other internals so it has to be where it has to be, if that makes sense? So what am I overlooking???? I only have about 2" off solid shaft protruding out from the inner tube? Not even enough room to install that grease coupler?