Play in steering wheel

You didn't specify if yours is manual of power steering, so I sent you both.

Manual Steering Gear
1976-79 ADJUSTMENTS
1. Be sure that the steering column is properly aligned and is not causing excessive turning effort.
2. The steering gear must be removed from the truck.
3. Be sure that the ball nut assembly and the sector gear are properly adjusted as follows to maintain minimum steering shaft endplay and backlash between the sector gear and ball nut (preload adjustment).
4. Loosen the sector shaft adjusting screw locknut and tighten worm bearing adjuster screw until all endplay is removed.
5. Measure the worm bearing preload by attaching an in. Lb. Torque wrench to the input shaft. Measure the torque required to rotate the input shaft all the way to the right and then turn back about one half turn. The worm bearing preload should be 10-16 in. Lb.
6. Turn the sector shaft adjusting screw clockwise until the specified pull is obtained to rotate the worm past its center. With the steering gear in the center position, hold the sector shaft to prevent rotation and check the lash between the ball nuts, balls and worm shaft by applying a 15 in. Lb. Torque on the steering gear input shaft, in both right and left turn directions. Total travel of the wrench should not exceed 1 1 / 4 inch; (32mm) when applying a 15 in. Lb. Torque on the steering shaft.
7. Tighten the sector shaft adjusting screw locknut, and recheck the backlash adjustment.

Power Steering Gear
ADJUSTMENTS
Meshload
1. Raise and support the front end on jackstands.
2. Matchmark the pitman arm and gear housing.
3. Set the wheels in a straight-ahead position.
4. Disconnect the pitman arm from the sector shaft.
5. Disconnect the fluid RETURN line at the pump reservoir and cap the reservoir nipple.
6. Place the end of the return line in a clean container and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock a few times to expel the fluid from the gear.
7. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right stop. Place a small piece of masking tape on the steering wheel rim as a reference and rotate the steering wheel 45° from the right stop.
8. Disconnect the battery ground.
9. Remove the horn pad.
10. Using an inch-pound torque wrench on the steering wheel nut, record the amount of torque needed to turn the steering wheel 1 / 8 turn counterclockwise. The preload reading should be 4-9 inch lbs. 11. Center the steering wheel ( 1 / 2 the total lock-to-lock turns) and record the torque needed to turn the steering wheel 90° to either side of center. On a truck with fewer than 5,000 miles, the meshload should be 15-25 inch lbs. On a truck with 5,000 or more miles, the meshload should be 7 inch lbs. More than the preload torque. On trucks with fewer than 5,000 miles, if the meshload is not within specifications, it should be reset to a figure 14-18 inch lbs. Greater than the recorded preload torque. On trucks with 5,000 or more miles, if the meshload is not within specifications, it should be reset to a figure 10-14 inch lbs. Greater than the recorded preload torque.
12. If an adjustment is required, loosen the adjuster locknut and turn the sector shaft adjuster screw until the necessary torque is achieved.
13. Once adjustment is completed. Hold the adjuster screw and tighten the locknut to 45 ft. Lbs.
14. Recheck the adjustment readings and reset if necessary.
15. Connect the return line and refill the reservoir.
16. Install the pitman arm.
17. Install the horn pad.