Thanks for the compliment and inputs guys. The truck was restored 2 owners ago out in Arizona, and they did pretty good work but suspension and chasis has a few strange things. But this is my first old pickup so I'm learning as I go along. I'll throw the son in the cab and have him turn the wheel while I have a look.
I have checked around the steering box and there are no cracks. That was one thing I looked at before buying it.
Would that inside shock have been added to off-roading? That's not my thing, at least not yet.