1977 f-150

my auto shifter is broken. i cant figure out how to get wires through colume so i can change shifter arm housing. a neighbor of mine said cut the wires, there got to be a way, is there? im new to forum,own a 78-350 dump im putting back together,400 eng. and this 77 pick-up just had 62,000 when bought from my dad,now has 90,000.has 352 winser eng. has org.spar good old ford. thanks nfp

The wires come out of the clip real easy. Take some pics, or make a diagram of where the wires belong in the clip first. Remove the clip, and pull the wires out of the top of the column.