91 explorer sport steering

[AKBroncoII]

I have a 91 explorer sport that I just picked up. It has a rag joint at the steeing box end and a u joint at the column end. The ujoint seems to have excessive play. Is there any reason for me not to swap to a double rag joint shaft?

 

[AKBroncoII]

Also, what inside the steering column is wearable. I seem to be getting a decent amount of play from the steering shaft itself inside the column.

 

[crbnunit]

I don't see why not. The joint should slide up and down the shaft to make room for the dbl joint. I bet there is a plastic bushing on the steering shaft somewhere.