Scotty,
Well said. I cut about a 1/2" off the nose gear on my T-33 many years ago when it was still a ducted fan model to open up the window for touchdown with a little extra speed. Additionally, I have a really soft spring in the nose gear, just enough to hold it extended with full fuel, no more strength then that. This reduces the instensity of the hop when I touchdown a little too fast, it happens.
Jim