My 2004 Ranger gives me a rough ride. Probably as designed. But all I do with this is drive back and forth from work and sometime pull a small boat.
What can I do to this that will keep my head from hitting the ceiling when I go over a speed bump. Do not need advice about slowing down. Generally rough in pot holes etc

 

my guess is that your leaf springs have sagged pretty bad and are contacting the frame bump stops

with that year of ranger , it is time for new leaf springs

these are the leaf springs i bought for my B4000

1750 lbs Capacity Ford Replacement Leaf Spring, 5 Leaf Rear Replacement Spring, 43-1503HD - TruckSpring.com

perfect for towing a small boat or hauling loads like i do

your shocks also play a role in suspension dampening

 

A springs job is to support the weight of the truck its the shocks job to stop the motion transfer that causes bottoming out. Im betting your shocks have no oil in them, but there is always a chance your leafs could be sagged out if you haul a trailer.

 

being a 2004 year , i am believing that his leaf springs have sagged badly

 

Thanks,
I was getting annoying double bumps when I hit a bumpy road. I replaced the front shocks this weekend and found the right front shock was non functional. This has resolved this issue although, as you know, shock having little to do with "soft ride". In fact, the gas shocks I put on, slightly increase the spring rate but this is negligible. The front suspension is torsion bar, not coil or leaf. While I like the theory of torsion bar suspension, I am not impressed with this one.

 

I have 275k miles on mine and have no sag........

 

Rangers are too light for their suspension. I replaced all 4 of my shocks with good ones and the ride quality was just slightly improved. If it bothers you a lot then add weight to the bed. A good 3-400lbs does wonders.

 

Thanks, that is good advice. I suspect you are right. I am capable of making an air ride suspension for the rear. Somewhat challenging but not impossible. The front, which needs the most improvement, would be very difficult. So I am not going to bother.
My company, typically converts F350, 450's to air rides for the ambulance industry. Does the same for Dodges and GM's of similar sizes.

 

i have read , that some some pickup truck owners remove all of the extra support leaves , and just install the firestone air bag system,

with the optional on board air tank and in cab control gauges with inflate/deflate switches

basically they just use the 2 main leaf springs to hold the rear axle in place