Coil over suspension FUN!

[JCoop]

When I got SPF1052, (BB460 motor), I could not adjust the fronts to the recommended 27" floor-to-fender lip ride height. I got as low as 27 3/8". It had QA1 adjustables with 10" 450 lb. QA1 springs. I have 17" PSE wheels so the ride's a bit harsher than with 15"s. From previous experience, I decided to switch front springs to 8" Carreras 450 lb so I could lower the suspension. I experienced no ride deterioration at 26 3/4" ride height all around. Then, I heard about the wisdom of using variable rate, progressive springs (that's another discussion) and saw that 10" 225/475 springs were available. I had just installed 12" 175/350# in the rear and loved the ride, although a bit soft for track work. I figured that with the softer initial rate, the front would settle a bit to get to the 27" or lower recommended height; so I bought them, installed the springs, then battled to try and re-install them to the fronts. the springs would extend the shock to 14", but the eye to eye length of the shock mounts were 13". I rented strut spring compressors from Autozone (great loan program BTW) but with them on there, I couldn't massage the dang assembly into where they had to be. Next idea, compress them at the shop with wall-mounted compressors, then safety-wire the springs to install, then snip them once they're in there. While I was doing the compression, I thought I'd be basically transporting or handling a 'bomb' before installation and decided to abandon the idea. I re-installed the 8". Maybe I'll try them in the rear, once my back stops hurting
My question is, how the heck did the factory install the 10" sprung shocks? They were pre-loaded at max. extension when I first took them off.
Special tools maybe?
"Safe" ideas, anyone?