I ended up renting (more like borrowing because it's free) strut compressors from autozone because I couldn't get my axle to drop low enough without taking off the steering/track bar/control arms. To me it was way easier to use the compressors than to mess with taking more parts off. And that was for a mere 1.5" coil spacer kit.

 

Dont trust ratchet straps for anything under pressure.

You dont need a compressor, just unhook everything but the control arms and the axle will fall far enough to slip in coils.

 

Why not? I used them when I installed my lift with no issues at all. Just check the load rating on them, most have a breaking strength of over 500lbs

 

Not putting my face or hands anywhere near a coil spring compressed with a ratchet strap. Too much kinetic energy stored, and it doesnt take much to reach a straps failure point.

Betcha you can find info on this through Google if your so inclined.

 

I can tell you from experience that the handles on a ratchet strap will deform before you reach the strap's breaking point <- this was on a static load, but i know multiple people who have used ratchet straps on coil springs without issues. The straps I used were rated at a breaking strength of like 800lbs, and didn't have any issues using them on the coil springs.

 

I personally saw what happens when a compressed coil suddenly becomes uncompressed...and it is no fun, at all haha and that was using a coil spring compressor that slipped. I personally am just going to get mine high enough to just pop the coil out once i put my lift on

 

Well yeah, just jack up the side you're not trying to get the spring in on that will help the other side to droop enough to get the spring in.

 

Yea that is what i plan on doing I think it's easier and you don't have to worry about a coil possibly shooting out at you lol

 

I once saw a thread on a coil spring damn near killing a guy, although i cant find it now i will still advise against using a ratchet strap, espescially to a group of younger kids who are new to mechanical work. I'm just not willing to do that..

Like i said before, a coil will retain alot of kinetic energy when compressed. Heres a vid of a strut assembly and the forces behind it. While not exactly the same as a Jeeps coil assembly, the physics still apply.

 

The way I added my 2" spacer was put jack stands under the unibody just behind the lower controll arm mounts. Disconnect the shocks from the bottem on the axle. Either remove the brake likes to allow for the drop or remove the caliper off the axle. Using a jack lower the axle till it touches the ground. The springs are completely disconnected. Remove and Re-install in reverse.

 

that essentially happened to me and my friends yesterday only it stayed where it was without shooting out and possibly hurting us when we were putting in coil spacers on his 2wd dodge, its REALLY scary haha