71 duster front end help

You are over-thinking this. I already gave you the answer

1...The steering box and pitman are keyed, unless someone ground off the "key" spline. This means the pitman CANNOT POSSIBLY be installed incorrectly.

2...The steering coupler can be assembled 1/2 turn off. I'm talking about the column shaft and "shoes" going into the top of the coupler housing.

This will put the steering wheel upside down, if the wheel is correct, see 3 below. The coupler is keyed to the box spline unless someone ground the key off the coupler spline. Doubtful

3...The steering wheel and shaft are originally keyed unless you are using (some) aftermarket wheel, or unless someone has ground THAT spline off See 2 above

4...Unhook the tie rod ends. Count turns lock to lock on the BOX, not limited by the front suspension. Center the thing based on that count. THE WHEEL MIGHT BE some off, 1/4 turn or so. If it's 1/2 turn off, might be 3 and 2 above. Get this resolved at this point. you should be able to SEE the column spline with horn button off, and if it's 1/2 turn off, fix it by pulling the coupler apart and reversing the shaft in the coupler

In other words check the wheel to column and make sure it's splined correctly. Check the coupler to box splines.. THEN if the wheel is 1/2 turn off, fix the column shaft to coupler

5....Assemble the front end and get it ON THE GROUND with WEIGHT and with engine, etc, installed.

By now you should have.......

The box centered, the steering coupler fixed if need be, and the wheel oriented on the shaft if need be Point the wheel straight ahead and set the ride height and "jounce" the car

Then rough in the toe. You will have to set the toe, drive it, and then correct the wheel for 'straight ahead" by 'walking" the tie rod adjustments equally from one side to the other, unless you have a "fancy" alignment rack.

THINGS THAT MIGHT

Bent from damage, rust, whatever

Incorrect bolts / incorrect install in and around the lower balls and spindle hardware They can hit the lower arm and limit travel.