Apart from expanding your hand ranges what other adjustments need to made for going from full ring games to shorthanded games?
Nothing really. If you're playing full ring correctly, much of it will be the same. You can just be a bit looser when isolating early position limpers playing 6-max, because you don't have as many players behind you. Otherwise, your steal position & blind ranges will be roughly the same.
What are the benefits if any are there in shorthanded ring games.
Fish are put in situations where they will make errors more often. And there are less players at the table, so you don't have to worry very much about other opponents messing with you while you're trying to stack the fishes. If the table is 4-5 handed, you'll pay less rake. You will be dealt more hands per hour playing 6-max, and thus you will gain reads on the players at the table faster. Most experienced players eventually move to 6-max (or 4-max, or heads up) for these reasons.
Full Ring is about playing hands against the whole field, while 6-max is mostly about isolating fish, and button vs. blind situations.
If you're new to poker, Full Ring might be a bit easier. But seriously, its just three less people at the table and its still the same game. Its not like you're switching to Limit Omaha 8 or Better, or anything like that.