As George suggests tires will make a big difference. It is the tire that absorbs most if not all of the energy from the smaller bumps and holes. The springs on the front of your truck are designed to carry vary little of the pay load beyond all of that sheet metal and engine so taking leaves out may not be a good idea. However for these leaf springs to work properly each leaf has to slide a small amount on the adjacent life. Inserts between each leaf will help a little. The major factor in the function of the springs is the shackle. It must operate freely. If one is froze your truck “will ride like a truck”. The shocks do not carry any weight. And have very little effect on the harshness of the ride. They will, however, control bouncing and rebound of the springs. One of the shocks could be frozen, but this would most likely bend or break the linkage. My votes; the tires and spring shackles are the likely causes.
