I can appreciate wanting to keep it original. I myself wanted something that was a little easier to drive/ride in. I removed 3 leaves from bottom. Every other one starting with #2. Sure tamed it down without shaking the gizzard out of you on every bump.

 

I don't know, but with the missing springs, Gertie still shakes the gizzard out of me.

I just came in from crawling around under the truck, and from what I can see, dear old Dad took more than a few springs out of her. I could only count 8, and what looked like 2 springs worth of spacers on top of the stack under the U-bolts.

It is no wonder the truck sits level, and not raised in the rear like most.

I get the new springs, it may indeed prove to be too rough of a ride. If it does, I will probably do as you, and remove a few. Will see when I get the new springs.

 

The spacers were because the u bolts were not threaded far enough, so he put in spacers to take up the slack. I destoyed one set of u bolts getting mine off, so I ordered a new set. However, on the other side I had to run a die a considerabe distance up the u bolt so I could get em tight
. In hindsight, it would be more prudent just to oreder new u bolts all around!

 

those shock mounts i said were on their way, well they got here, they are for a narrower
spring, this 51 M3 with 18 leafs i think is 2.5" wide.
It has a spacer between the "normal" spring assembly, and the 4 leaf "helper"assembly, perhaps a inch ,maybe 3/4", i noted that I would need new U-bolts,these are quite long and they are formed on the "U" ,stamped/forged like, I am torn between wanting her to be a brute with a dump and wanting her to ride smooth on these backroads here, I ain't there yet so I have time to ponder, thanks for the chat!
so ,I have a set of probably lighter shock mounts for our trucks, not sure of year the seller claimed, i will check and get back.
I think I am started to fall in love with this truck.
Greg