Assembling front coils/shocks on 2002

This has probably been addressed somewhere...but I can't find exactly what I'm looking for.

I'm replacing my front shocks and coils. The videos I've seen mention making sure the lower mount is lined up with the upper mount the same way as it was on the truck.

What I really want to do, since I'm replacing both the shock and coil, is get the new ones assembled, then when I actually do the job, I'm half way there.

I was trying to figure out how best to make sure things will line up correctly, so I was looking at the installed shocks.

First, is there a good way to get a coil and shock assembled, off the truck, without it laying next to the old one for reference?

Also, I'm a little worried about using this as a guide..



It's not lined up right.

So...is it worth it to get these assembled before I'm ready to do the swap? If so, what's a good way to get the top and bottom aligned correctly?

I know companies sell fully assembled kits, without being here to look at my truck, so there must be a way to get them lined up without the reference of my old setup, right?

 

This shows the assembly sequence. Basically, the single stud of the 3 on the top hat faces the same direction as the lower hole.

Mount one this one, then the other you flip the coil seat around so it also faces the rear.

People that sell them assembled know what they're doing, or should at least.

 

Perfect, thank you.

 

Apparently I'm a little 3-D challenged. Having the top mount turned a different direction for easier viewing in that diagram threw me off. Only took compressing the coil three times...Assuming I have it right this time.

So it seems like, on both sides, the important things to line up:

-End of coil spring points toward back of truck
-Lower mounting hole points toward back (and front) of vehicle
-One of the three top bolts needs to line up with the lower mounting hole, facing the back of the truck.

 

Looks like I slightly misunderstood your post and diagram. One more time with the driver side coil compressor. Just found this. I've got both lower coil ends facing back. Looks like driver side faces forward. Ignore red circle. Lower diagram is what I'm referencing.