Steering Play

[Sundy]

I have, compared to my 2007 Honda Pilot, a humongous amount of play in my steering wheel. Sitting still it travels about 10 inches before I feel any resstace. At the steerng box I can rotate the shaft about a quarter turn freely before the gears inside touch.

I've read dfferent opinions about adjusing this. Some say that adjusting the gear box can cause the steering to lock up. But this much play seems excessive. I got a little terrified the other day going down a hill with a curve in it, I drifted into the other lane and barely swam back to my lane. Not graceful at all.

What do you guys suggest?

66 C10 Pickup, manual steering.