No spring method.

When installing Bilstein 5100s (retaining original coils) it seems the prevailing DIY method on 2nd gen's is to use the no spring compressor method. Is this doable on our 3rd gen's as well?

 

These springs are designed to support the front end, the heaviest end, of a 4300 pound truck.

If you’re asking here, please don’t mess with the springs. Bring it to a shop and pay them $150 bucks to swap it out for you.

It’s cheaper than your contractor, hospital, vet and dental bills when those springs rebound off your wall, cat, and then your face.

 

So you're saying the cat will absorb most of the impact

 

Cat's are liquid. Liquids can stop a bullet. Your point is valid.

 

Stand by for heavy rolls to port

 

The answer to your question is yes you can use the truck to compress the spring. It does need to be done carefully and I would not recommend putting the retainer clip above the first setting... if going higher to 3 or 4, best to have a shop do it. I found that I needed to bolt everything together with exception to the top shock nut and washer. Put the wheel back on and lower the truck until the nut and washer could be secured. It's doable, but a pita.

 

When I compressed my shock and spring I just used a long pry bar and got lucky enough for it to slip into the notch on the LCA so I could slide a bolt in

 

something along the lines of bolt the shock into the lca line it up with the top hat jack up the lca. full disclaimer im not paying for your medical bills

 

Just buy some affordable spring compressors, I had to look these up, looks like I bought them a few years ago at Sears. There’s plenty others that are cheaper

http://www.searshardwarestores.com/...MIjZnk8qzR3AIVD6vsCh1Ygw9BEAQYDSABEgLetvD_BwE

 

O'Riley's, Napa, etc will loan them out to you too.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5E6u7dC7EHg

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jo0FJSi-KYs

If you’re mechanically inclined, it’s a fairly easy install....same exact install for 3rd gen Tacoma ,4runners,and FJ.

 

I appreciate the responses/advice. I think I'll decide at the time but will get the spring compressors and a cat just to be safe. thanks

 

Two springs right? One on each side.

Cats have 9 lives, but get 2, just in case.

 

Don’t over think it bro....the no spring compressor method works great! Used this method several times even using top clip on the 5100’s. Do one side at a time and support the side you’re working on with a jack stand and back up that with an extra jack....

I would be more worried about being injured using a portable spring compressor.....and cats for deflectatory measures.

 

I followed the directions in this video, and everything went well. You have to be somewhat mechanically inclined. No cats harmed.

 

Point taken plasticsnaks. 2 cats... Right! Why didn't I think of that? I feel safer already.

 

As other said, Spring compressors, that’s what they are designed for and work very well at the job. Like any tool, make sure you use a quality set. Simple, can’t really go wrong, unless you’re lazy or an idiot, in which case you shouldn’t be doing the job yourself in the first place.

 

Fuck those shitty coil compressors.