When removing the column from the van, all you have to do is cut the harness on the other side of the plug and join the wires to your plug from the column side of the one in your truck and just create a junction plug. It won't cost you $50 that for sure. The wires are color coded pretty the same. if your unsure of yourself you could buy one here.
http://www.lmctruck.com/features/cbe/cbec64.htm I would call them and make sure it works with what you have.