Well Brian, there are no other replies for your "what if" but at least you have explained to me what that rod does. Another possibility is to pop-rivit some aluminum flashing from under the dash down around the column and then pop-rivit the other end to the bottom of the dash on the other side. That would provide a rounded cover on both sides of the column that can be painted the same color as the column, the shape would be a little like an inverted omega.

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder