I know there can be many causes for slack in a steering wheel, but where should I examine first? I can be going down a straight away, and the vehicle still wants to drift. (01' 2wd 4.3L) thanks.

 

Pitman arm, idler arm, rag joint, steering box, tie rods. Start with the first two they are the most common.

 

Continue on , if necessary, to: All 4 ball joints, all 8 control arm bushings, sway bar end links, upper steering shaft universal joint, & center link.

 

And the power steering box

 

Best bet is to lift one tire off the ground and find the solution instead of spending a bunch of money guessing. So lift passenger front tire off the ground and you should have no play moving wheel 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock and 12 o'clock to 6 oclock. If you have any movement find out where it's at and replace that particular part. After changing any steering components should consider alignment next. Hope that works for you.