Manual shift steering column problems.

[North56]

I have a 1972 Ford F100, that has manual transmission ( three on the tree) and manual brakes. I want to put power steering and brakes from a 1978 F150 on the 1972. I have already dropped the I-beam from the 1978. My question is, would it be easier to install a NP435 top loader manual transmission into the 1972, so that I wouldn't have to play with manual shift column, to try and get it to work. I would just use the column from the 1978. Would that work? Thanks.