Im confused about 66 leafsprings

[M1919a6]

My leafsprings and shocks are rusty and nasty. The ride however is smooth and it floats over bumps like your laying in bed.
So I figured I would fix something thats not broken.
I called Mopar performance and they said their XHD springs were the replacement for the factory ones. Sooooo I got em and shackles too. I picked up some Autozone shocks and got after it today. Now the ride is stiff, and a bit rigid. Is this correct? Is that how its supposed to be? The leafsprings I took off had 8 leafs. yes 8. The XHD springs had 6 on 1 and 7 on the other I think.
How can less springs be stiffer? I'm all confused. I want the old springs back on but im afraid theyll rust apart. I dont know what im asking for here?
Maybe just, is this how it's supposed to be?

 

[Photon440]

Any chance the new shocks were a lot stiffer than the ones that came out? Easiest thing to put back in to compare. If your old springs aren't broken, you could take them apart, clean and paint them with a kit like this (not your year I know, just an example) http://www.ebay.ca/itm/68-74-Mopar-...Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d4f11a6ac&vxp=mtr

Now, perhaps your old springs WERE shot, weak and about to break. Now you're experiencing the sort of stiffness that was in the car when it was new. Have you noticed any handling improvements on hard cornering? Has the ride height changed at all? Just wondering about changes other than the stiffness.

 

[67 Mopar]

XHD springs (as the name would imply) are heavier than the original stock springs. If your old springs had 8 leaves they were not stock.

 

[M1919a6]

Ride height seems to be a little lower. Not much but i see a little *** sag. I may use a kit like that to just refurbish the old ones. I dont really care about nut and bolt original. Ride comfort is importand to me and the kids. Wen we go overe bumps my kids all yell oooooohhhhh suspension....not anymore. the old shocks were shot so maybe its how it supposed to be. How many leafs wee on the originals?

 

[sate70]

Alot of people tighten the leafspring u bolts while in the air. It will clamp the springs in the incorrect position and can cause a rough ride too. You should always have all the wieght on the springs then torgue them. Sorry for spelling errors. LOL!