The front end play could be any number of problems..
Try a couple of things. First with the tires on the ground, get a helper to move the steering wheel to the left and to the right 6 inches each way. While your helper is doing that, crawl under the truck . Listen for any unusual noise and look for loose parts. Grab the tie rod ends, the drag link ends, the Pitman arm , sometimes you can feel the vibration in a worn part..Pay attention to see if a small steering wheel movement moves the Pitman arm. If not you have steering box play..
Then put the truck up on good jack stands so that the wheels are just off the ground. Have your helper shake one tire back and forth while you look around underneath. Look for the same symptoms as above. Then put a pry bar under each tire and shake it up and down to check for loose king pins..
Before you can begin repairs, you need to identify what parts need repairing.. When you have the front end tight, then it is time to check alignment..
