Steering Column Repair: 1979 steering

Question
The steering on my 79 gruman Olsen stepvan
E350 IS VERY SLOPPY . IT CAUSES THE VAN TO DRIFT DOWN ROAD SIDE TO SIDE .GET A LITTLE SQUIRRELLY at times.not sure where to start .replace column . Joint. Etc maybe Add staberlizer. The guy I bought it from claims couldn't find a column so had the weld old one
But drifts bad not sure what he welded.

Answer
Hi Gary:

Sorry about your truck.  My recollection form those days brings me to stabilizer shocks that had to be mounted to the center link and body, not a steering column problem.  The tire span vs the strength of the steering linkage under the truck was such that it wasn't strong enough to prevent the sway, so you are always over-correcting.  Also, I woudl check the adjustment of the steering gearbox to make sure when you turn the steering wheel, it is actually translating to the steering linkage underneath.  That transition point is very critical.

All this means is the steering column is doing it's job, but the rest of the steering is too slow to respond.  There isn't much in the column that would cause drifting...it's simply a shaft that turns when you turn it.

Those would be my suggestions.
I too don't know what he might have welded

Hope that all helps
Good luck