Hello there y'all. So about 19 months ago I bought a used 1994 Ford Ranger XLT off Craigslist. for $1950 it was one of the best buys I've made in a long time. If you're curious, a photo of it is here: https://i.imgur.com/jnF2aRw.png

It's in really great shape and it came with the nice wheels on it. Mechanically it's sound, the air is FREEZING cold even on hot Texas summer days when it's been 105 outside. So far all I've had to do was install a new air filter, get new tires on it and put a new battery in it and otherwise I haven't had to do anything at all to it and it's been really good to me. Engine doesn't smoke out the tailpipe at all, doesn't misfire, idles smooth, acceleration is rather good, for a 4 cylinder, no oil leaks at all, no fluid leaks at all, etc. So far I've logged about 11K miles driving around town. Every day I need it it just cranks right up with no issues and drives like a dream.. except.. one little problem: The shocks. I've crawled underneath it and looked and the rear shocks are old and rusted and look terrible. The front shocks are a completely different brand and type that don't match the back and in general when I drive around in it the thing is just tossing me around and leaves me feeling beat up and sore after a long drive in it because every little bump in the road is a hard jarring experience inside the cab. I know some of this may come from the oversized tires it has on it (Not large.. see photo, about +5% over stock) but I'm pretty sure most of this is the shocks.

I'm wanting to replace the shocks on it and at the very least get a matching set. I was looking on RockAuto and sure there's the basic set that matches my truck for $9.03/each but I also see some other options further down. Now I'm not poor but at the same time I can't justify spending $100/axle for shocks on this thing as it's basically just a daily driver right now. I don't "Really" haul anything "heavy duty" with it. Mostly groceries and from time to time I haul a load of computers from the government auctions out in El Paso in the bed. I almost never pull trailers with it (Except that one time I pulled a pair of Jet Ski's for a friend to a lake, but those are just about around 600 lbs total including trailer, hardly worth mentioning). I don't go offroad with it. I don't need something expensive for hauling big loads and I don't need some fancy offroad shock or anything like that.

I'm wondering if anyone here could take a look on RockAuto at the options for my truck and suggest something that would give me a softer, smoother ride please? I know this is not a luxury car but I'm wondering if some of the more expensive options on RockAuto would give a better / softer ride than the basic cheap shocks. My back's not the greatest and I would greatly like to not be jostled and tossed around by my truck every time I hit a little bump.

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Full truck specs:
1994 Ford Ranger XLT
2.3L 4 Cylinder
2-Wheel drive
5 Speed Manual
276K Miles

Edit: I've tried playing with tire pressure and it helped a little but not much. I had it down at about 27 PSI for a while, but it didn't seem to effect things much so I just run with it back about 35 PSI like it says on the sticker on the door now and I'll look to shocks next.

 

Nothing wrong with cheaper shocks. The ones your looking at on Rock Auto are close outs, so figure their at maybe 1/2 price, so they might have been $20 at original price.
4 shipped would run about $50.
For the way you use your Ranger, light duty, they will probably be OK. There are better, but would run you about twice as much. I recently put a set of KYB's on my 2009 (about the same specs as yours) that ran $110 for all 4 via Amazon.
If you have Amazon Prime, you save on shipping, which RA charges. So it's a toss up.
Also, since you run your truck basically empty, drop your tire pressure to around 30 psi, front and rear. 35 is too much for an empty truck.
Also, if your not familiar or knowledgeable about suspensions and springs, have someone you TRUST look at your rear springs. With the age and mileage on your truck it may be time for new springs. They do go bad and flatten out over time and mileage/load.
Remember, it's the springs that dictate the way the truck feels. The shocks act to handle the compression and rebound of the springs. The shocks have to act in unison with the springs.

 

I never go cheap on shocks but I really use my truck. It sees a lot of off-road duty and towing. I also like pushing it near the edge in corners. Bilstein is my shock of choice. I must agree with Grumpaw though. For what you want, you can get by with less expensive shocks. The problem is; if you go too cheap, you will not get long life out of them and you will need to replace them again.

I like KYB Gas-A-Just and use them when I can't get Bilstein. I think they are a little on the stiff side for strictly street use but one of the less expensive KYB grades may be better for you. I have also used Monroe shocks on a car many years ago and liked them. I have heard some not so good stories about them now though. Maybe it is about the cheaper ones or maybe Monroe quality has gone down.

My point is, it is okay to save a little on shocks but, be careful with going too cheap. It may cost you more in the end.

Running lower pressure is a good idea too, especially with larger tires. My factory recommended pressure is 30 psi front and rear with 31" tires. I think that is a little to low for the front and run around 32. The 30 psi is good for the rear with an empty bed. You would be lighter in the front with a 4 cy and 30 should be fine. Just keep an eye on the wear pattern of the tires. I always make sure to have even wear across the tires.