Set jackstands under the frame, just aft of the front end. If you're replacing the ball joints, unscrew the nuts most of the way and use a pickle fork. A jack under the lower A arm will help stabilize things. Books say to secure the spring with a chain down the center through both a arms. Two ways to remove the springs. If you replace the ball joints you can remove the coils that way. If you don't take the ball joints apart put a jack under the lower control shaft and undo the u-bolts. Slowly lower the jack.
Go ahead and inspect your a-arms before you order parts. If there are any large dings or nicks, you need to replace the a-arm. Small nicks can be smoothed out. The steel is a medium strength, and more prone to cracking than the frame.
