Maybe not typical suspension questions?

Long story short, father in law years ago put a Tuff country 4.5/3" lift on wife's 03 Tacoma, did a bit of a number on the existing lower control arm mount, where the subframe for the lift mounts. In doing so the mount was cut and rewelded, it now hangs 1/4" lower so it has the whole driver front sitting 1/4" higher, fortunately he welded the hell out of it and its damn solid. For 9 years it wasn't an immediate issue, now I need to replace ball joints both top and bottom it obviously caused premature wear, not to mention the fact that it came out of alignment in about 3 months time and nearly ate a new tire in about a week. I know a little about suspension but not much. So with that mount being fubar'd I've more than considered a SAS, I've got the tools and a good group friends and family that are well versed so it would be a good learning experience, but funds are dictating otherwise. Another option I have to go with now is just revamping the current set-up , plan to do the sas at a set date a few years down the road, already gathering parts. So with the lift kit they give you a spacer for your coilover/strut. Can I run slightly shorter springs to bring the truck down a little? Something like 3-3.5" up front or will it not play well with the tuff country subrame, control arms, and spindle, or am I just going to fight alignment issues with the lower control arm being the length that it is, tailered to a different height lift? Furthermore is anyone aware of a "mid travel" kit that requires cutting and welding for a new sub frame for lower control arms? That would allow me to correct the current issue. Long travel is an option too but we've to real use for that. It is my wife's preferred daily so sas would have a very small amout less appeal for various reasons.