steering problem on 88 dakota

I recently purchased a 1988 dodge dakota truck, former city vehicle here in my hometown, low mileage, 110,000, runs good, shifts fine, looks fine, has a 3.9 liter V6. I gave 500.00 for it. It has one problem. it has way too much play in the steering, it is driveable, but Im not comfortable driving it. Im gonna get it fixed, but was wondering if anyone can advise me on possible areas that could cause this before I actually take it in to the shop. Some one suggested the gear box, but Im unsure. Any advice would be helpful.

Gear box sounds right, but you should have someone turn the wheel from left to right without it running and look underneath at all steering components one at a time and see whats loose.

Typical wear points are the steering shaft coupling, a rubber disc joining the upper (steering wheel) and lower (gear box) halves, the steering box itself, and the outer tie rod ball joints.

With the engine off and wheels on the ground, have someone move the steering wheel while you inspect these areas. If the slop is as much as you allude, you should be able to see where the slop occurs.

My Dakota had a rack and pinion steering check both inner and outer tie rod ends. Look for power steering fluid leaks.

I had a 87 with rack and pinion and the coupling at the end of the shaft that met the rack the gears were wore out on it