Help the Dummy - new rear leaf & shackle

It was odd - as the only way I could get the mounting bracket close enough to the frame mounting holes to get the mounting bolt started was to completely lengthen those shackles out parallel to the ground. That is what has me thinking the springs are possibly too short. Or, somehow I needed to put a higher load on the springs as I mounted them to lengthen them out a bit.

I appreciate the help guys.