I got stock struts with coilovers on them and the top of the strut is hanging out 3 inchies so do I need to buy shorter struts or what

 

Pictures would be helpful.

You probably have something like:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]84484[/ATTACH]

If you reassembled everything correctly, the struts should have compressed when you lowered the car back to the ground.
stock shock:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]84485[/ATTACH]

maybe, the #9(see stock diagram) washer wasn't reinstalled? (allowing the strut piston to slip through the strut's upper mount)

take care,
ChrisS