Long story short i cannot get below 5 lbs of pan tension on my bridger #3 coil springs. I also installed these PIT pans on my #2's and 1.65's with no problems at all. I have already called ED and we are having a hard time figuring it out. The measurement from the back of the spring pin to the bend in the dog frame is 3/4" and im using a 2 3/16" stainless steel rod dog. The pan is the regular round pan, not the step down.

Those stainless dogs are tough to bend...probably the issue as it doesn't take much to change poundage. Ed makes GREAT STUFF!

Bending the dog so that the tip of it is parallel with the underside of the pan will reduce friction and lower the pan tension. Its physics 101.
I would loosen the tension nut/bolt until it is almost sloppy loose first, then bend the dog and test the poundage until it is less than what you want to end up with.
Then use the tension nut/bolt to set your final poundage.
You may have to bend the frame to reset the pan to level due to bending the dog.

There is no tension nut/bolt. The pan clamps onto the spring pin.

I have P.I.T systems on just about everything and most of mine clamp onto the spring pin. Bending the dog is the only to lighten tension. Sometimes they look like a ski slope once you get the right tension, but thats how I do it. I like to run 2-3lbs so just about all by dogs are bent pretty hard.

A file on the rod dog will accomplish the same thing. Just go slow and check often. And check the end of the rod dog for sharp edges first. A sharp edge or bur will increase the tension required to fire the trap. If there is a bur, file it and check again. If it is still more tension than you want either bend the dog or change the angle on the dog with a file where it contacts the pan.

Does anyone have pictures of a #3 bridger with the paws i trip pan installed?

Better yet...Let's see pics of your trap

Tough to help without seeing a potential problem

I do this and I also remove the burr and/or sharp edge on the pan itself (where the dog engages).

Okay i filed the slope of the rod dog and it worked. Thanks everybody