47 steering gear parts in Model A box?

[Cool Hand Lurker]

OK, so not many people are experts in the innards of the gearbox other than the rebuilding and adjustment projects. I always seem to have questions on things nobody else even thinks about. My wife says that I am special...
I took my Tudor on a drive for the first time in 2 years and realized just how hard it is to turn that steering wheel just to back out of the driveway. Especially at 85.
I thought it might be easy to switch out the 11:1 ratio stock Model A gearbox with a 1947 unit with a 17:1 ratio. I wanted it to look stock but steer more easily. Simple, eh?
Not if I wanted to keep the original light switch at the steering wheel location, as it turns out. Trading the stock 2 or 7 gears with the 1947 innards would be good, but probably not even possible.
It sounds like the only alternative for lighter steering is changing to a shorter pitman arm. They say it will be a lot easier to turn the wheel but I think the turning circle will be bigger. Hopefully that will not matter too much.
Thanks for the responses. Happy Motoring!