The proper way is to use an early cross member up front. But if you’re worried about it looking old you can always clean it up & paint it before swapping it out. Otherwise you can just go with the lowering springs. In the rear you have two options and for a street car either are fine – a lowering kit (blocks) or lowering leaf springs.
Me? I went with springs up front and some new leafs with lowering blocks in the rear to give my B a ~2” drop up front & ~1.5” in the rear.
I also added some Polyurethane bushings all around & some up rated brakes components (pads, slotted/X-drilled roters & SS brake lines) and a set of sticky 195/60R14s. Couple those modifications with the front & rear swaybars of the later Bs - should make an otherwise well maintained rubber bumper B handle as good if not better than most any chrome bumper B with the same modifications.
Not for everyone but I like it. My only regret is in parking lots. I always make the folks behind me upset when I have to creep over those “monstrous” speed bumps. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif