Newbie from WA - 1966 GMC

[mrkc]

Hello from Southwest Washington! I just got the '66 GMC long wide box (straight 6 cylinder/4speed) that my grandfather bought new in '66. It needs some work and I'll have questions but for now I need to replace the rear end. I'm thinking that I may as well lower it a couple inches at the same time. How many coils do I cut off the front springs to match a 2" drop in the rear? Is that possible without drop spindles? I'd like to bag the front eventually but I'm going to be out of cash by the time I get the rear end replaced, unless someone in Washington knows where I can get a deal on a rear end.
I'll post some pictures as soon as I can get it out of the barn.