Get a few good sawzall blades for cutting steel or a plasma which is easiest. Once u have ur springs off start cutting off the original spring hangers so they are flush with the bottom of the frame. Then grind away to get it smooth. Once youve done that its all cake walk from there. Just get the marlin drop front spring hanger and align it with the very leading edge of the frame rail. On 1st gen trucks the frame rail sticks out near a 1/2" and on the 2nd gen its maybe an 1/8" to 1/4". You can read marlins walk thru on how to do it but with a factory straight axle getting the springs set up is the easy part.
Here is the downside to a rears up front. Your gonna have to run hi steer since the factory push pull will not work. So get an ifs steering box and the hi steer setup before you do your spring swap. Just a little note u can stay with push pull steering but you need a drop steering rod which goes from the steering box to the J arm. Imo this only makes it street worthy. If you try and wheel it like this the springs will come up and hit the steering. In other words its worth it just to do the hi steer at the same time.
