Installed leaf springs & axle today, but questions

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

My son and I installed drop springs and the axle today. Pretty excited about it, because it offers some assembly as the painter stares at my oil pan each day in prison. Hopefully it's done within three seasons, two passed already

I haven't built the entire rear end yet, so no tires and that. Anyway, all the hardware is new, and I tightened the eye bolts and U-bolts down. I even leveraged using a pipe to squeeze the shackles. All the bolts are tight, but as it sits on the frame, there is more to take. I plan to torque them when the tires are on the ground. I assume there's more to take when the tires are on the ground.

Questions:

1. Was it an error to tighten the bolts down in this manner? In other terms, should all the bolts be snug only when the weight is dropped onto the tires?

2. If the bolts should be snug only, no problem, my wrench goes in reverse too. But what you figure I did to the distorted torque and U-bolt nuts? Frankly, the plan is to replace all the torque nuts, but I don't have spare 9/16" torque nuts at hand, never mind spare U-bolt nuts. I'd rather eat the error and expense if it's best to replace the new nuts with......new nuts.

Edit 3.Just thought of it, I'm not sure what amount of play is acceptable between the eye bushing in the leaf spring and the top of the shackle. As mentioned, I leveraged using a pipe to squeeze the shackles. But there remains about 1/8" play between the end of the bushing and shackle. My son and I believe it's right, but I can't say for sure. These are C10 shackles, but........I'll take a picture, post it up.

All input appreciated, thanks