First off let me ask you this... What is a 4's team supposed to do when the ranked que isnt popping? Craft maybe? Stand on fleet for endless hours lookin at how good my damn Sith looks?
On the other hand getting hit for 40% health is because your either trying to gear up in full 180 gear pve gear or your just not getting bolstered to full. Try to just go buy a set up Full Makeb purple Mods/enhancements/etc etc then que and if you have every spot filled you should still be at 2018 at around 31k health..... sure you wont have some of them juicy set bonuses but it will keep you from getting called out for having pve gear and such.
GG small wall of text.