springs with "lowering" clamps? (87 4kq)

[Luke Rickert]

Today while switching to the stock wheels with snows (more optimism than
necessity in these parts right now) I noticed something strange about
the front springs on my '87 4kq.  There are a couple "u" clamps holding
two of the coils together, functionally shortening the spring.  Is this
stock? The rear is still too low, but perhaps these clamps are supposed
to help even things out.  It makes me nervous from a creep/fatigue point
of view, although I don't suppose it matters so long as I don't want to
use the springs in an unrestrained state. 

I would still like to replace the sagged rear springs with stiffer and
longer springs, but as previously lamented, finding longer springs that
maintain or gain ride height, without going to adjustable perch "coil
overs" is not easily done. any comments?  I found a message in the
archives that said the pre-85 4kq's have higher rear perches than the
later versions, can anyone comment on this and the possibility of a
swap? Or perhaps some perch relocation/fabrication would be an option.

thanks

Luke 

-- 
Luke Rickert
www.engr.orst.edu/~rickert