Others that have actually done it will know better what I am going to say.

I believe that most of the rough ride characteristics of the 4x4 Dodge leaf-spring trucks can be blamed on the negative-arch, weak-leaved front springs.

I believe that the ride would be much improved by installing a quality multi-leaf arched spring "lift-kit", of from four to six inches, along with a quality set of shocks.

I know that I bought a new 1978 Chevy 4x4(I still have it) that would slam my head into the cab roof.

Before it was a year old, I installed a six-inch lift suspension, with six-leaf front springs, and the trucks rides, and drives, much better than it did in stock conformation.

Just a thought.

 

drove my brothers 97 4x4 one ton dually five speed after a ton of work at 160k. i put on the updated 03 trac bar and steering box bearing kit. drove great but the power steering isn't as easy to turn as my first gen. other than that the ride is alot better and the extra cab is nice and i really liked the nv4500 for the feel of the shift. my first gen gets 22mpg empty driving 65 to 70 on a couple hundred mile freeway trips. rides like a buckboard compared to the newer models. but if you grew up in riding and driving pu's like i did its a pretty normal ride.

 

That's kinda what I was thinking, I am looking for a "fixer upper" just not to that extreme.