Thanks for the extra images. It looks (as you said) like a light rub. Could be the tire or low pressure. Maybe the replacement drag link is slightly thicker than the original one? On the half ton the steering stops are really just a piece of bent steel with a hole/bolt holding them in place. Sometimes those get removed and forgotten when kingpins are replaced. You might check to be sure yours are still there and if not, ask if anyone here has a set. If the driver's side is missing it would explain why you have some extra travel.
