New Springs

[5280Hawk]

So i bought a Spring Kit for my 05 Tacoma from TOY-tec lifts. The Kit basically will lift the Front 2" and the back 3" with an Add a Leaf.


The front Kit constists of new coils and a round spacer that goes on the shock assembly.

I would like to do the install myself, but I don't have a Spring compressor. Im planning on taking the Shock/Spring assembly to a tire place to compress it and have the new spring put back on.

Has anyone done this? or is there a Write up that might help me with a little more detail?

Thanks!

 

[FlatlandTRD]

Yes, http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamods/allpro1inchspacer/allprospacer.htm

It's for an '03, but similar practice. Peter's site has all kinds of write-ups with pictures, and he's very knowledgeable.

You can rent strut compressors at auto parts stores (usually free of charge as long as you bring them back). If you can practice gun safety (i.e. always point in a safe direction), then you can do this yourself. Seems like there's been more horror stories from shops screwing things up than back yard mechanics.

I've done it several times now, with no fatalities. I would recommend two sets of strut compressors though, they tend to bend under the pressure.

Good luck, post some pics when it's all done.

 

[5280Hawk]

I found a Spring Compressor from Harbour freight yesterday, $40.00

Its sturdy but i think its made for coils that a are furthur apart (thinner) than the OME springs i Bought. Im making some small modifications to the compressor. It's going to work fine.

Anyone know typically how far you can compress the springs safely or how far you need to compress it to change the shock?

I put the OME spring in the compressor yesterday an got it compressed from 16 1/2" down to around 15" or so.

 

[5280Hawk]

What a Pain in the A**.

I got the Coil overs off the truck no problem, and even got the stock spring to compress enough to get it off the shock, but the new springs were more than my crappy spring compressor could handle. It started to bend well before the spring compressed enough to fit the shock inside.

I then took the coils to a nearby Pep Boys to get them compressed. THEY COULDN"T DO IT EITHER!

I finally took it to 4 wheel parts and had them do it. The got them back to me and I was able to easily reinstall them. The trruck looks like it sits at least 2 inches higher in the front, if not more.

Once i get the Add a leaf kit done in the rear i will post some pics.

 

[FlatlandTRD]

What a Pain in the A**.

I then took the coils to a nearby Pep Boys to get them compressed. THEY COULDN"T DO IT EITHER!

Yeah, that's why I recommended two sets, so you can put three compressors on each spring. Glad you got it all back together, safely.