I have read several excellent threads on this Forum on this issue, and since I am myself looking to get into a E-250 Family van, I thought I should catalogue ideas for softening the ride:

1- Load up the van
2- Better tires (people like Michelins 245s for this purpose)
3- Rancho adjustable shocks
4- Remove 1 leaf (overload leaf)
5- Air bag
6- De-Arch the leaf springs, i.e. increase the arch (e.g. Deaver Springs in California)
7- Velvet-ride shackes. Company defunct. Now Sulastic Rubber Springs do the same thing.
8- Get a minivan!! (just kidding)

Here are a couple of threads:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...0-or-e350.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ther-ride.html

I want to thank Maples, YoGeorge, Stkshooter, Grant, etc for sharing their experiences here.

This is a real issue for me: I have done chassis/suspension upgrades (Bilsteins, sway bars, bags, tires, etc) in my E-150 before, but I had never had to deal with the E-250. I want to know what I am getting into.

 

I will add something as -- bushings, all neoprene maybe. Having a soft ride it's one thing, the other is to reduce jarring, teeth-trembling suspension.

1- Lower tire inflation
2- Bushings. There are probably a million bushings under there, but I think taking the time to replace them might actually smooth the ride.

"Smooth" and "soft" are two different things.