Cutting the springs sounds like a good idea.  I used to work for a
steel company that sold steel for many purposes, including auto springs.
I had to learn about them.  I even had to analyze losses in the process
which rolled the mild steel rods and the spring companies that made
springs out of the mild steel rods.  Porsche 911 springs are probably
heated treated, high alloy steel.  My bet is that vanagon springs are mild
steel.
     The Arc of the Covenant, they are not.  If I screw it up, H&R sells
lowered replacements for 200 bucks for set of 4.

     John
     87 Westy SVX