Rear Shock Swap question - KYB to Bilsteins, here's what I got - what do I need? Options

[tadink]

Greetings -

my KYBs that came on this car are bone jarring. good grief. Almost unsafe on a bumpy road - I hate those things.

The PO provided a set of rear Bils that he says have never been installed. not in box, rumbling around the trunk. Look pretty good - see pix.

Having never done this, I'm not sure what all I need beyond what I've already got. Will the stuff that comes off the KYB install be reused for the Bils install?

Is this a straightforward as is appears, or is there a 'gotcha' lurking just when you think you are nearly finished?

any help certainly welcomed -

best

td

[tadink]

HI guys - thanks for the comments, par usual, I may be more confused than before I asked the original question - but that is me and my newb-ness and not you are your expertise.

so, here goes:

1. how far do I need to compress the springs?
2. I'll crank down the top nut to get 1/2" of clear threads - and then hopefully the existing nut on the kyb's will work? and all the other stuff too? (rubber bushing, etc)?
3. I have no idea about ride height - I'll share a pic of the other end of the shock can you tell if it is about right? Once it is in there - I'm assuming it is not an 'in-place' alteration?
4. any thoughts on how to compress the existing springs the 'red-neck' way vs. going to get a spring compressor? and, how far do they need to be compressed?

sigh, I hate being a dope.

thanks for your help...

td