im wondering something here .
when i did my swap from a 89 rear end to the 95 rear end . i found that up above the rear A fraim was another proportion type valve that apeared to be spring loaded . IE there was a spring that came down and attached to the A frame . the 95 did not have this .
i assume that this little vale is a safty type of break that is activated by the spring , if the rear end over exstends .
i wondering if you have this same system , if the spring was broke or missing if it would alow the lever to to move on start up

?
just a thought