Anybody have tips for re-installing the steering column in a 97, i.e. getting the collar back one the flat-sided shaft?

[TW97C1500]

I've wiggled, pried, lubed, checked for burrs, etc. but I can't get the collar back on far enough to get the pinch bolt back in.  I'm talking about the coupling down at the floorboard.  I haven't been able to get back over there for a couple of days and I've had the thought that maybe the shaft slid down through the floorboard a little, so maybe I need to get under the truck and push it back up all the way.  Any ideas?