Just picked up the truck last week and this is the only real issue. My last '79 had perfect steering so I have yet to get to know this whole system.

Lots of play left and right in the steering wheel. Rag and U-Joints look good, the column moves with the steering wheel so it must be at the gear box or lower. Visual inspection of rods and all under the truck seem fine.

What's your suggestion here? I'd obviously prefer to not buy a new $250 gear from the get-go.

 

When you let go of the steering wheel while driving down a road does it walk on you? (Sway from one side of the road to the other)

 

Sounds like you know what to look for. The 79 should have the same gear box as the 78 with both being just like my 73. With no slop in the steering wheel down to the rag joint, and all good from pitman arm to the tie rods, don't forget to look at the idler arm. Ford always had an issue, in my opinion, back in those days. Find a good front end shop, preferrably one thats been around in those days, and ask them. I don't drive mine much anymore, in fact I should sell it. I have never liked the large diameter steering wheels, to much reaction out of it. It always felt to me that I was over steering it.

Something to look at, is there any up and down movement of the main shaft thru the gear box, not wobble of the bearings, but in and out as the steering wheel is turned. (Not good)

 

You can adjust your steering box- I did a quick search and found this thread
https://www.f150forum.com/f13/sloppy-steering-45136/

 

I'm not sure because there is so much play in the wheel I was afraid to let go while driving home (interstate travel). I've only driven it once because once I got it home two tires went flat. I'll give this a look this evening.

Not that I've noticed, everything feels quite solid.

This is what I did on my 79 when the steering got a little loose. The screw that thread is talking about is tightened all the way down on my 78, no further adjustment is possible there.

I think taking it to a good shop and getting their opinion is my best bet to avoid unnecessarily "fixing" things. If they can inspect it for cheap and let me know this-or-that needs repaired, then I'll know without a doubt. My problem is there are so many variables I didn't know where to start diagnosing this thing.

 

Another thought, check your wheel bearings for wear and looseness. If to worn or loose they can cause "wandering" of the tires.

 

Low tire pressure too, can increase tire flex and make it feel drifty.

 

Took the truck to a garage this weekend and had someone give it a look over. Besides a few minor things he said his first problem with it was the lateral movement in the steering wheel (which I hadn't noticed before). He suggested I replace the steering column first and that should take care of some of the extra play.

I don't think that's going to solve my problem so I may end up replacing the gear box anyway, as well as tighten some bolts here and there.