My ITB 142 has what you might call the standard setup, and yes... they are 8" rear springs sitting on shimming perches, with "spools" top and bottom, to keep the spring in place during full droop. I'm running 675 lb-in front springs and 225's at the rear.
Newton, Kansas? I'm an hour and a half southeast of you (20 miles east of Ark City). Who are you, and what are you building?