I've read here about what people call the 'hose mod' where you remove the upper spring perches above the rear springs, and put hose over the end of the springs so there's no metal to metal contact. This gets you 3/4" to 1" drop free in the rear.

When I was eyeballing the front, I noticed that the bottoms of the front springs aren't 'pigtailed'... so, could I use the cutoff wheel to take 1/2 a coil off the front springs, swap them side-to-side so the ends of the springs are in the proper orientation for their lower mounts, and get a 1" drop in the front?

I'm going from guesswork/experience on the "1/2 a coil drops is 1" numbers. Just close approximation over the years, I used to shave an inch off by doing this anytime I had a front suspension apart. I'm just that cheap and just that shadetree.

For now though, even $225 springs aren't in the budget and won't be soon. Rear is ready to grenade so I'm shopping for that first. If I can do the drop free while I have the rear out anyway...

 

That sounds like a good idea and definitely within the "budget" I'm tempted to try this just to give you an answer I hope somebody jumps in with an answer before I do somethin that might be stupid.

 

Cutting springs does = stupid, IMHO. Cutting springs increases the spring rate dramatically. If you are not concerned about ride quality, then it might be for you. Lowering springs can be stiffer, but they are engineered to a specific known rate. Cutting isn't an exact science. If you cut too much, then what? For all the work it takes to do the fronts, IMHO it is better to do it once with the right parts. No doubt there will be people that have cut theirs and like it. This is just my opinion.

 

LMAO yes I forgot "Do NOT try this at home, kids!!!"

But I think it would work. Only thing I'd add is to make sure you use a good cutoff wheel so you don't heat the spring up significantly. If you use a torch, you'll ruin the spring's temper and it will keep sagging more and more til you're on the stops...

Heck yeah try it and let me know! Send pics! I may try it this weekend, I have some time to kill...