To start off just to make it easy....2003 Ford Ranger 4.0 FX4 Supercab....

had somewhat decent pedal but the brake pads/shoes needed to be replace.I replaced the pads/shoes,now have sponge like pedal,almost goes to the floor before engaging the brakes.I didnt open the system, so air couldnt have gotten in but I bled it anyways just to see if that helped.It didnt.So...I replaced the master cyln. and yes, bench bled it and re-bled the system. still no improvement.

What would make me go from decent pedal with shitty brakes, to shitty pedal with decent pads?

 

Do the drums fit over the shoes snugly?

 

^^ Check your rear drums and adjust so they fit snug, you want some resistance. I would just over haul the rear. New hardware, wheel cylinders, shoes and self adjusters. If you wanna go over the top replace the parking brake cables.

 

They fit snug.