I'm familiar with the "loose" feeling you describe, however like I said I don't really get any of that on my '97s with factory pumps and EVO delete except at very low speeds. When you replaced the pump did you get a direct replacement for what you had previously?
I'm guessing your wheel/tire combo might have something to do with this. I ran some wide 18" wheels on my Suburban for a few years and it had similar issues. When I went back to factory size wheels and tires it drove so much better.
Welcome to the forum from another Missouri resident by the way.
I'm about 3 hours north of you. Used to go to Lake of the Ozarks all the time.