OK...removed the Large spring and cut off about 1 1/2 " and used that 1 1/2" of spring between the release rod and floorboard....
Also...removed the pedal rod and sharpened the bevelled hole best I could with a hand file.....that rod is hard as a rock.
Brake pedal now catches lower and the hand brake works.
****the only problem i am having now is that the release rod does not release 100% and I have to pull it up with the edge of my shoe when seated in the truck.
I suspect that perhaps I should have cut that heavy spring 2" instead of the 1 1/2" I now have....
Can anyone tell me the length of the spring that the vendors sell ???
Also if I have to take that pedal rod off again I would like to know what is the best method to sharpen up that bevelled hole ????
thanks,John