Measuring suspension points.

[rb70383]

I have another question with my project planning. Like Astroracer, my current project I'm focusing on/planning is a van. To be exact a 77 Ddoge B200 short wheel base. I a couple good ideas for the rear suspension. On the front, before I decide on what to do, I want to see how bad/good the stock setup is. So how have somwe of you measured the stock setup. remove the spring and cycle the suspension through full droop and compression? Is a tape measure accurate for this? I would say the suspension has to be in decent shape to get a decent measurement right?