Check the torsion bars that adds to a stiff ride.

 

IMHO the ifs is too squishy, but I'm really a 3/4 ton kinda guy and I wish the dak had a solid axle up front. Of course I could do the swap, but then I'd still have a <6' bed that plywood won't sit flat in and I'd still have a ~1200 pound payload and ~6000 pound towing capacity, which is too little for what I want a truck for.

If you want it softer, lower the air pressure in your tires, get some soft shocks, uncrank the torsion bars if they've been cranked, or go buy a Gran Marquis

 

Isn't it also true that a wider track tire rides ruffer because of more surface contact with the road? hence going from a say 265 to a 225/215 might be a though

 

BTW. has any body noticed that the independent front suspension of these trucks is real cushy,
but the solid axle, leaf spring rear is not. (thats the problem.)

that totally makes sense! i got a surprise once or twice on the freeway when the truck seems to get a little loose in the rear over bumps. i had to start driving slower (i had only driven cars) i thought it was due to less weight in the back and being a little higher up.

 

It's also because you're driving around with no payload, and they're designed to handle half a ton to 3/4 of a ton of payload, so of course the load bearing axle is going to have stiffer springs.

 

you might want to try kyb monomax shocks. I just put a set on and now it handles great around corners and bumps.

 

lol, I just ordered those last night. Ebay sold it with shipping for $176