I replaced the tie rod ends and the drop arm. Now it actually drives quite well. One finger steering control at 55+ instead of two-hand-white-knuckle steering.
Much tool abuse happened, and I had to cut one of the studs on the drop arm, because I couldn't get clearance without removing the pitman arm, which required removing the leaf spring, which would have required removing the front axle, which would have required removing the front drive-shaft. So, yeah.
I've now got a bunch more tools, only lightly abused.
The ball joints are actually fine -- surprisingly, so those didn't get replaced. I'm going to see if I can return them to NAPA to get the $140 back.
Note that this picture is taken with no-load on the front end at all... Those springs have like 2" of articulation, and next to no spring left in them.
The steering slop is almost entirely gone, I think the issue now is the fact that the leaf spring bushings are worn out completely, and it's got like 1/4" of play inside the leaf spring eye. But, I've got new leaf springs that aren't completely flat, and I'll be getting bushings this coming week. Hopefully the weather stays nice so I can bear to be in the garage and get the work done.
I also got some of the roof-rust taken care of. It's not pretty, but it'll get painted eventually: