Compressing rear coils

[nytefog]

I've tried to use spring compressors on the rear coils but can't fit them when trying to put them in the rear. Is their a trick? I have the typical spring compressors that you can get at any autoparts store. I just can't seem to fit the compressor and spring back in the location after i have the spring compressed.

 

[jimmied]

Why compress the rear coils. The install looks easy enough if you follow the directions easily found online.

 

[nytefog]

Why compress the rear coils. The install looks easy enough if you follow the directions easily found online.

I believe it would be much easier/ more professional and quicker to compress the springs. I have spring compressor from past vehicles so why not use it i figure.

 

[08T4R]

If the truck is jacked up high enough, the axle should droop just enough to get them back in the perches. Having said that, the compressors might make it a tad easier, you just wouldn't be able to out the lip of the compressor 'claw' on the top and bottom wrap of the coil. What's stopping it from coming back in with the compressor on? The bolts of the compressors hitting?

 

[wrestler157]

Just jack up the vehicle disconnect sway bar on both sides. And disconnect the rear shocks from one end i usually do the top since its easiest for me. Then lower truck with jack stands under the axle(i put stands on lowest setting) then i pull the jack out to the trailer hitch and jack from trailer hitch the axle will stay on stands just be careful of brakes lines not to extend them to much( i can get a pic if your not sure where im talking about). Just jack it up till you can fit in the coil. I just did this yesterday with a 3.5 coil and 1.5 spacer

Oh also i used the stock jack on the axle and bump stop to get extra height my jack wouldn't allow me

 

[monkeyskeeper]

Just did this last weekend, fj springs, 5100s, daystar 1.5, and ome fj trim spacer. the driver side was a tighter fit, but with the frame on jack stands, track bar disconnected, shocks off it is possible. I lowered the rear end down on a jack to get the clearance needed. the brake lines go taught before the wheel speed lines do, so watch carefully. Your best friend here is a big pry bar to leverage the spring into position.

The spring compressor method would make life easier, but you would have to get shorter bolts(didn't want to cut mine, oddball thread pitch), or the length would interfere with the installation.

 

[nytefog]

Just jack up the vehicle disconnect sway bar on both sides. And disconnect the rear shocks from one end i usually do the top since its easiest for me. Then lower truck with jack stands under the axle(i put stands on lowest setting) then i pull the jack out to the trailer hitch and jack from trailer hitch the axle will stay on stands just be careful of brakes lines not to extend them to much( i can get a pic if your not sure where im talking about). Just jack it up till you can fit in the coil. I just did this yesterday with a 3.5 coil and 1.5 spacer

Oh also i used the stock jack on the axle and bump stop to get extra height my jack wouldn't allow me

This sound easy enoght and i won't have to fight the compressors then. I also did think about cutting the bolts but didn't want to ruin the compressor because im sure i won't be able to relplace the bolts easily.

What lift setup do you have going on? What is your overall lift height? I'm getting the Radflo 2.5" front CO and rear shocks with 2" spings. I think i may need to get a 2.5" springs. Has anyone used 2.5" spring on a radflo setup?

 

[J.A.]

You can use spring compressors on the rear, though you need some trial and error to see how to fit them in such a way that you can compress them without interference. Using the compressors makes it so that you do not need to remove shocks or the trac bar. You should still undo the sway bar end links and use the factory jack to get more droop.

 

[wrestler157]

This sound easy enoght and i won't have to fight the compressors then. I also did think about cutting the bolts but didn't want to ruin the compressor because im sure i won't be able to relplace the bolts easily.

What lift setup do you have going on? What is your overall lift height? I'm getting the Radflo 2.5" front CO and rear shocks with 2" spings. I think i may need to get a 2.5" springs. Has anyone used 2.5" spring on a radflo setup?

I have a mixed setup. I have bilstein 5100 on .85 with ome 884 coils up front then in the rear i have all pro 3.5 springs with tacoma extended bilstein 5100 shocks. The ride is way better than my xreas was!

You can really run whatever spring you want with radflo ive seen alot of different ones used. Are you adding weight to the rear?


Also JA method is good i used the stock jack in the same spot but i didnt have spring compressors and was installing new shocks anyways

 

[renep74]

Jack the rear through the rear differential (center) and disconnect both sway bar. Once the sway bar is disconnected, start lowering the jack and be careful on the break line as wrestler157 mentioned.


Rene