When I grasp the steering wheel I can pull it out about 1/8" of an inch, kinda like a telescoping steering shaft. I can also push it in the same amount after being pulled on.
The play seems to be in the joint on the engine side of the firewall where the upper and lower steering shafts join. It is a joint looking mechanism with 4 bolts. It is not the splined portion of the lower shaft. The lower shaft does not move, all motion is in the upper shaft.
So, I guess the question is whether or not all trucks have this play and if it's a problem. Could it be a collapsed steering shaft?