*Check the bolts holding the steering box to the frame. They
 often stretch and become loose.Inspect welds near the 
 steering box .If the bolts have ever become loose it may
 have caused the weld to pull apart under the steering box at
 the seam of the frame

*Check the steering box for play, there is an adjustment nut at
 the top(see service manual for proper adjustment)

*Inspect wheel bearings and toe in/toe outInspect tie rod ends,
 ball joints and drag link ends Scouts from the factory came
 with 0 degrees positive caster(except 80 wich had 2.5) 
 sagging springs,bad spring bushings or longer than stock
 shackles reduce the cause negative caster thereby introducing
 the tendancy to wander.The more positive caster in the
 front axle the more the truck will (want) to track straight.
 To introduce caster into the front end you can install
 shims behind the spindles, or a shim between the spring
 and axle. Often 2 degrees is enough to make a noticable
 difference.

* Check the u-joint on the steering column.  It is located in
 the engine compartment before the rag joint.  The late model Scouts(76 and up) used a non greasable ujoint that often
 has play in it. The early Scouts had a greasable u joint 
that was much heaver and does not often fail.  I would 
recommend to use the early style if you need to replace
 the unit.

* Check the rag joint . Scout owners with body lifts usually 
 have more of an angle than stock.  If you have a body lift
 you can loosen the two column support bolts under the
 dash and push the column towards the steering box.
 Retighten the bolts back to specs.  What this does
 is "force" an angle into the u joint thereby reducing the
 angle at the rag joint.  From about 76 Scouts came
 equipped with a "anti-sway bar" between the shackles.
 The bar does work in reducing body sway around 
 corners and producing a tighter feel in the front end.
 The downside is that some independant wheel travel is
 lost. This should only be noticeable when offroading.

* Check the fixed frame mounts on the front springs.These
  are prone to cracking. The mounts were designed to 
  break off in event of front end impact. Larger tires, four
  wheeling or even old age causes the welds to crack or
  the mount to break off. You can reinforce the mount by
  welding triangle shapped gussets behind the mount. I use
  two per side.