If you're going with a bottle jack just throw the stands under the frame rail

 

When I did my lift, I put jack stands under the frame. I did not have to disconnect the cross member or swaybar. I recall using the bottle jack to push the front axle down.

Here is an overview og installing a lift, that wreckdiver1321 posted to his blog. You can see where he put the jack stands.
The Disco: Suspension ? Part One | Montana Overland

 

Creating more work than needed. I did not have to disconnect the swaybay (maybe because I have ACE) or remove the cross member. I did use a bottle jack to push the axle down.

 

Hmm. Yea, I just don't have a good way to get it up off the ground. I've only got one bottle jack and 2 jack stands. I really need a better jack.

 

you could use a spring compressor, they can be borrowed, rented.
use your jack to place the stands under your diff. unbolt the two bolts on the bottom of the shock and the four bolts holding the shock tower, raise the shock tower out with the shock attached. insert the spring compressor, tighten and slide the coil out threw the wheel opening. the same thing in reverse to install.