Mammal , best to do like DhVaughan said , let someone else tell you what's wrong and go from there . Show the list and you'll also be advised on what to do right away to make it safer .

You may as well just get new shocks though , that's just obvious . The rear shouldn't bottom out with the leaf spring , even with bad shocks . Again with the echo , but the springs could be an issue . Cheaply , you can add a 2"add-a-leaf , if your not carrying weight too often , it will last a yr or 2 for $60ish . Don't expect a full 2" of lift either .
One major improvement on mine was replacing the rear spring bushings , it was the best $130 I spent on the truck , that was bringing the springs/shackles to the shop .
Front sway bar frame bushings and end links also really tighten up a ride at minimal expense . I do it to everything I buy . Could be a source of some rattles and clunks too .

 

Ive got a dude fixing the tank straps and looking at the suspension this weekend

 

First thing I did on my '97 Ram 1500, the Second I got it home I put 4 new shocks on it, the Ride home was like jumping in a bounce house.

 

The Sasquatch goes into the shop tomorrow to get the gasoline bomb I have ticking away underneath me defused with new tank straps. While he has it on the lift the guy is going to give me a "FIX THIS NOW OR DIE" list, a "You really should fix this stuff too or the stuff you fixed to not die will need fixin again real soon" list and a "Man if you did it like this **** would be sweeeeeeeet" list. When I get these lists I will post them and look forward to your analysis of his diagnostics .

 

Guy says gas straps gotta be done, but I knew that. Thats running me about $200-

He says the major issue with the suspension is the tie rods in the front end. They are toast, along with the 4 shocks which are also toast. Springs look fine. well as fine as stock springs on a 97 are going to look.

He suggests tierods and shocks for $1200 or so on top of the $200 for the gas tank straps. That's better than I thought, but is it a worthwhile investment?

 

Not to me, I don't take mine to anybody to put parts on.$336.47 for all four moog tie rods from rockauto.com shipped to my door.Good shocks are $200-$300.Put them on and get it lined up. Save some nice $$$.

 

yea I just had him take care of the time bomb with the gas tank. I will do the suspension when I can get to it as I can get to it. How tough is it to do the tie rods? The shocks seemed to be pretty straight forward from the DIY posts Ive read.

 

Shouldn't be too bad.Draw a simple diagram of the linkage or print one then take some measurements from center to center of the studs and write them down on the diagram.Put the new parts on as near as you can get to the diagram.Then take it and get it aligned.