Settled in ok.
Shop is up and running.

Just need to get ahead of the weeds in the back.
Geez, poison and weedwhacking don't see to cut it.
Every time I turn my back....


Anyway, by #2 leaf I'm guessing you're talking about the longest non-eyed leaf.

It may give just the right amount of help since the spring 'pack' doesn't have the progressive support a full leaf spring would.
I don't think it would hurt the ride at all.

My thinking was the opposite.
I was going to try to find 2-3 of the (different length) short leafs and add those in place of the shims.

Once the 31 is up and running I may tear the 32 apart and notch the frame on it.

Fwiw - a piece of 1 x 2" x .120 wall rectangular tubing makes a nice filler.
Cut one of the long sides off leaving the 1" sides as long as you can.
You'll end up with a just under 1" notch this way.

I took AV8's advice and tilted it slightly so the spring hits the full width of it instead of hitting only on the corner.
I think that's gonna work quite well.

Another fwiw on square and rectangular tubing - I cut one side off many times so as to make body mounts, engine mounts etc.
After the cutting and clean-up grinding I end up with a nice piece of short 'channel' that looks good due to the curved edges.

Cutting the narrow side of a rectangular piece gives you a good start on a shock/headlight mount combo for a highboy.

As far as raw stock goes, just specify the wall thickness you want depending on what you're doing.
3/16" for motor mounts, 1/8" for body mounts etc.