6/28 Update: A bracket to depress the lock plate was simple to make and worked well. Access to the bearing was granted. Removal of the remaining plastic bits for shift lever, ignition housing and a turn indicator plate that blocked accessing two more bolts became a breeze.
Now that the column is stripped to this point I'm left with two choices:
1. Removal of two peened and threaded thick grub type screws that the tilt unit pivots on. That will allow separating the tilt housing and extracting the steering shaft. The procedure needs to then be done again on the '04 column.
2. Pull the '04 column, begin reassembling the donor column with '04 parts and then reinstall an essentially renewed unit.
Choice #1 is preferred as the original column stays in the vehicle and I avoid handling many electrical connections, bundled wires, retaining clips and a metal shield beneath the column. That path now literally hinges on whether or not those big grubby type screws play nice and come out with the resources at hand .... four times. (last photo)
This feels like preparing to operate on a hip joint while the experience level is that of clipping toenails.
Tidbit: I'm curious why the steering shaft I seek was offered solo and with a portion of the tilt unit attached before both were discontinued. Perhaps solo = more labor $$, and as a unit = considerably more $$ yet less time to replace.