I've got a 2wd workmate with an alloy tray that is mostly driven around empty until the weekends when I take the dirt bikes out.
The ride with the standard shocks on the rear was absolutely atrocious, I was seriously regretting buying the ute. I wasn't sure if the heavy leaf springs or over damped shocks were to blame so I unbolted the rear shocks for a very short test drive and was amazed at the nice plush ride.
Ordered a set of Rancho 9000's which are adjustable, left them on the softest setting. Ride is transformed when empty now and they can be adjusted to be much stiffer than stock if needed when loading it up. The ride is much more balanced and feels almost car like now.
Just an FYI for anyone looking for a softer ride in their empty utes.