cut or heat?

[69halfton]

hey there guys, im on a seriously tight budget, but id like to get the front of my truck down 2 inchs or so.

I'd like to go the spring route, but i just cant get my head around 120 bucks for lowering springs.

so im looking around to buy a set of stock heaight ones and modify them.

what I'd like to know is weather you'd recomend heating or cutting them?

if cut, will the spring still seat properly in the hat?
if cut, how much do i cut? i know its something like 1/3 coil per inch dropped or something like that..

or maybe a different solution for get that front end down 2 inch... on the CHEAP