Hi Carfarmer! Thanks.

The original leaf spring setup had about 9” higher ride height plus it was equal length front and back sections of spring, not a short front segment like the SS springs. The Dakota came with an 8.25 axle and a really dinky spring pack with a super heavy overload leaf to keep it from flipping inside out. The reason I re-worked it was because I put a 512 motor in it and figured the 30 year old setup spec’d for a v6 driveline wouldn’t get er done. And I already had a set of 6 leaf xhd springs that I ran for a year on an a-body before switching to 002/003 leafs. Turns out I forgot they were already losing arch and sagging.

I also channeled the body down over the frame, shortened the frame a couple feet, boxed it, shortened the bed a foot, and set the motor 10” back into the firewall. Basically just got carried away working in my driveway last year and having fun. I already had the ‘54 and always wanted to build a stroker B engine.

I think you’re right- my instant center is too high and far back.