I know it is more "practical" to do it this way...but doesnt it seem simplier to get a coil compresser (that works) compress the stock coil..drop the axle a bit..remove it..compress the new coil..place it back in...then decompress it? Could this be done?

simpler... I dont know. my RE kit is about 4 inches of lift and i got my coils in there with pretty much no issues. but i took all that apart because I was doing the following

Longer control arms, brake line relocation brackets, and extended sway bar links and adjustable track bar.

I have never used a coil spring compressor in my life and I am 30, ive always been scared of them.

when i had my VW's i would always put in lowering springs or coil overs so there was no need for compressors. this is the first jeep i have ever owned, and first lift i have ever done.

i have a good 20 hours at least in it, doing all the work myself, having to tap threads, knock out weld nuts, fish new bolts through the frame for the rear shocks... all kinds of fun stuff.

its going to take time and patience. i have been without a jeep for 9 days now. and probably wont have it all road worthy again until next weekend.

I understand what you mean...but if I could get one of the compressors that go on the outside of the spring..compress it enough to slide it out and then compress new one install..id be done with the front..and I wouldnt have to disconnect anything...

well, the sway bar links are like a 5 minute disconnect to get them loose and out of the way.

if you do go get the compressor that goes on the outside of the spring the easiest to do with the stock coils is jack up on the outer end of the axle to compress the spring, then slip the compressor in and tighten it up, then lower your jack slowly. this will let the spring just drop down for you to get it out.

the only work you would have to do is compressing the new springs.

ill try that in the A.M....Long day

That style of coil compressor goes through the coil. Go back and try another store and get a pair of compressors that go on the outside of the coil spring. Trying to take of the LCA is just more work, more to break, more to put back together IMO.

I could almost get my old coils out without removing the LCA but i used the compressors. No way I was getting the new ones in without it. Definitely not on the passenger side.. Just stay calm and take your time and all will go well!

You'll be fine. I lifted my jeep with absolutely no mechanical experience.

Ok man i`m going to help you out here because I JUST did my entire front end with 3.5 in springs and a 2 in spacer.

I did mine WITHOUT disconnecting my lca's but you ABSOLUTELY need a spring compressor. The one you rented is the internal spring compressor.... I didnt like it so I went back and returned it for a Macpherson Strut compressor.... Basically its an EXTERNAL spring compressor that makes it so that you can compress the springs from the outside, thus in my opinion making it safer and easier.

Things that will come up.... hmmm The sway bar links will break 95% of the time so I really have no advice on that, I bought JKS discos so all I can say is ride without a sway for a week or so if and when you do end up snapping them. The stock spring "holder" with not fit the design of the aftermarket spring. Make sure you seat your springs in the groove on the bottom there. Have a buddy and a 4 foot cro bar handy to help "guide" the spring in, also a bottle jack to eliveate pressure on the opposite side you are working on helped a lot. with minimal help it took me appx 4-5 hours to do it all with autozone runs.

you can install coils with out using a spring compressor

disconnect your sway bar and unhook your shocks... then jack up one end and remove the coil front he other end... you might have to jump on the brake caliper...

Seems simplier to just get the external compressor...That way I dont have to worry about getting teh LCA to drop down and I dont have to fool with the sway links..It was a PITA to get my passenger shock in but I got it...I know the coil needed to be in first but I wanted to get something done...Ill go to autozone to see if I can get one of the external compressors.

I can not emphasize enough how easy it is to remove the sway bar links. Just do it so you can get your axel to drop and you can slip your coils in there without a compressor. It is safer and will save you a headache.

I understand what your saying DYnamite...I just dont wanna risk breaking the links...plus..im kinda stuck doing nothing until this rain passes. I got an external spring compressor today..I will attempt to remove the links and drop the axle but I need a new floor jack..I cant even drive my Jeep now because the floor jack wont allow me to remove my stands

put a brick on the top of the jack, or put some 2x4's under the jack, either way, get the jack up higher, i know you said the jack doesnt lift past a certain point, but getting it initially higher should get you to lift the jeep and set it down.

from the looks of the pics you want new bushings anyway on those sway bar links, if you break a bolt or snap it taking off the top, which you may or may not, just get new links from advance or something, they arent that much. i know its still added cost, but those bushing look toasted anyway.

will the new links come with bushings?

yeah they should, i was just looking at advance auto. a moog link with new bushings is like 35 a piece, honestly, just soak that top nut in PB blaster, it should come loose. otherwiser for 70 bucks you would be better off getting an extended length ones made for 3" kit. Iron Rock Offroad sells them, I got my sway bar links from Rough Country, the total kit was about 40 bucks with ship, but they are made for like a 4" lift. IRO i believe sells different lengths.

EDIT: bushing kits are like 10 bucks each.