Ray...it's really not that difficult using the ratcheting strap. The Olthoff designed Bilsteins are NOT that dangerous...should the strap slip off, the shock does "unload", if you will, but the internal valving prevents a rapid and dangerous unload....it's more gradual. It's not slooooooow by any means, but it's not an explosive KA-BAM, either.
Tell you what...here's how I found out how they unload. Place a towel, or some other padding on the floor to pad the mounting lug. Then, place the lower mounting lug on the towel, and press down with all your weight on the upper end of the shock. It will compress slowly. Now, stop pressing down...and the shock will extend again. Remember, when installing the coil over unit, the spring should be fully extended, and therefore no pressure on the shock itself. The only things that will cause the shocks to extend is the internal spring, which is controlled by the internal valving and nitrogen gas, in the case of the Bilsteins...or
oil, in the case of AVOs, and some other shocks. I think you'll be surprised at how "gentle", if I can use that word, it will extend...it certainly won't be a violent extension, trust me...
It's easy...if I can mount 'em...hell, almost ANYONE can...
