some newer trucks have a well supported shortie steering colmn with a u joint inside the truck. maybe something like that would allow a shaft to exit the firewall higher up and make a frame mounted steering box a better solution. I am just not a fan of the beam mounted rack with a slip joint that has to slip every time the suspension moves. I like something with the least amount of moving parts that wil eventually wear out. possibly a steering box further back on the frame would work. some cab forward units have the box mounted right at the front under the floor, maybe looking at some of those would get the old brain idea cells working? exit the floor of the truck between your feet, mount a box under the floor with a long drag link or a drag link that goes to a idler arm further ahead so the wheel can turn without hitting the drag link? maybe a side steer box mounted on top of the frame with an angle drive attached to line up with the column? check some rat rod sites with side steer boxes to see what they have made work?
ideas
https://www.streetmusclemag.com/news...lves-problems/
https://www.rhsheppard.com/products-...g/miter-boxes/
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...boxes.1107423/