I finally got around to getting the rebuilt steering box in. No one handy to help get it up in there, so I put a chain on one of the cover bolts, and eased it up in position with the engine hoist. Worked out good. The intermediate shaft U-joint has to go on the stub shaft as the box is brought up in position, as the manual says. Seems like an awkward way to do it, but it is what it is...

Now the thing shouldn't wander all over the road like it did. The wife likely figured it was normal that way !

 

How big of an improvement did this turn out to be?

My steering is so god damn loose - everything is new except the drag-link TRE's, and the steering box itself, but my play is either in the steering wheel shaft or in the box itself (I get 15*-20* of steering wheel movement before the pitman arm starts to turn)