i knocked it out with a punch. then i ended up moving it foward so that it nearly touches the radiator mount. i did not have to lengthen my steering shaft, it was long enough.
those plastic pins are there to shear and collapse the shaft in the event of a front end collision. the shaft collapses instead of your chest.modifying them may not pass your states vehicle inspection, if there is one (nobody checks it anyways so the point is moot).

85 runner -dual cases, headlight harness, 34" TSL's
86 toy buggy getting sas'ed with a 14 bolt rear - 8.5" 10 bolt front (this will go away when i find a 60)