Ok to answer your questions, the post, on mine at least, is like yours, about 2 tenths shorter so a couple washers and done. I installed the tapered bumper in that spot. You should have a machined screw at the end of the ramp, not a sheet metal screw, but if it stays tight, I guess it's ok, or you can tap your post. Lastly, your outline guide should just have the metal tubing and not the bumper. I can understand why someone put it there, but it's not "correct". You can see a great shot of it on Ed Cheung's website. Hope this helps with some of your questions.

Jason