I chased a squeaking sound for more than 10 years on my 2002, that I though was coming from behind the gauges in the dash. I ripped that thing apart stuffing foam and felt everywhere. It turned out to be excessive slop in the lower steering column bearing. Added a worm drive clamp for $.90 and fixed it, per the link below.
https://www.refugeforums.com/threads/chevy-truck-steering-clunking-noise-easy-5-00-fix.1007043/