column shift tube delete

OK, kind of an off-the-wall question here, hoping I can get someone to give me some good info. I've converted a column shift column into a floor-shift using collars I got on FABO.

I was rebuilding my steering column the other day. I realized that since I now had the floor-shift collars in place, I no longer need the shift tube. I already cut off the lever at the end of the tube but really, the tube is just taking up space and adding unnecessary weight.

The only thing that's holding me up is how to retain the steering shaft if I ditch the shift tube. My column has the single groove white bearing that mounts on the outside of the shift tube and inside the column jacket. It gets held in place with a wire clip through slots in the end of the column jacket.

There are a few different lower bearings out there for floor shifters - two bolt, three bolt yada yada. However, my column jacket has the slots, not the bolt holes.

So I guess what I'm asking is has anyone else run in to this particular dilemma? I thought I could just drill two holes for the two bolt bearing. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

- Greg