Do a search on (The Blue Knight) he did a pretty good vedio on how to install springs.

 

I used a bigger jack and put tit under the rear end.
Jacked it wwwaaaayyyyy up in the air.
Put the jack stands up under the frame.
Took the tires off.
Let the jack down almost all the way.
THEN I unbolted the lower shock bolts and dropped the jack down all the way and the rear was just low enough to mosey the springs off.

No trouble getting the new ones on since they were shorter. With the 18's in the back it now sits dead level.

 

Good to hear you got it done!

 

no reason at all to touch the top shock mounts.

glad you got it done without killing yourself, you were very lucky the first time.