You may know something about the parts of cars that you have worked on, but this:
It looks like if I remove the bracket that extends the rear leaf spring mounts, that might do some.
What seems to be removing the shackle, suggests that you don't know.
And this:
Just never messed with leaf springs or anything on suspensions other than shocks, spring, ball joints.
Basically confirms that you don't know what you are looking at on this truck.
There is nothing wrong with not knowing, especially if you are willing to admit it and learn. I'm certainly not saying that you can't or shouldn't do the work your self. You've already started off the right way by asking questions first.
We can guess a lot at what you might, or might not, have based on your description. Quite frankly your description sucks, and we might be doing a lot of incorrect guessing and get you all screwed up. If you can post pictures (or links to them) of the suspension components that you are working with, it will help us to help you.
You may have helper springs, those won't usually affect ride unless the truck is loaded to a point where they are in use.
You may have add-a-leafs, or you might have explorer springs packs, or maybe they are the heaviest duty factory spring option. Add-a-leafs can definitely make the ride stiffer, that's why I don't like them as a lift option, but they are useful for more load capacity and some people love them.
You may have extended shackles, but from my personal experience they will not affect ride quality. I'd also be surprised if someone used extended shackles on a 2wd, but we'll know if we can see some pics. You definitely need shackles.
Air shocks can make for a bouncy ride if they are being run at too high of pressure. I had a set of Gabriel HiJackers on my 84 Ranger because the rear springs were worn out and needed a boost some times. As long as the pressure was minimum or set right for the load they didn't ride bad for a truck. That's not to say that you need them or that a set of standard shocks won't ride better.
Does it have lift blocks between the leaf springs and axle? If you have them and want to lower, they should be the first part to go. They can affect ride some and they have no benefit other than cheap lift, but honestly I just hate them.
Finally you say that you want to lower to a "normal" ride height. We've got no idea how it sits now, or what your idea of a normal ride height is. Pictures of what you've got will help us figure out where it is now. Then it's a matter of knowing how much lower you want it.
You also didn't mention what type of front suspension it has. There were two different suspension on the 2wd Rangers from 98+, coil springs or torsion bars. The style of front suspension will determine factory ride height, with the torsion bars sitting like a 4wd truck. Once again pictures will help us figure out what you've got and help you get where you want it to be.
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