Advice on Using a Spring Compression Tool

[Fentonite]

I did it on my Tacoma, and helped a buddy with his Ford. I think I still have a couple spring compressors if you want to use them. (Like Irving said, I only had to compress the front coils). Lots of horror stories about injuries to DIYers, but it didn’t seem sketchy to me, just go slow and careful. But I just might be too dumb to know when to be scared.

[Irving]

But I just might be too dumb to know when to be scared.

Story of my life.

I caught my Amigo on fire when I did the suspension. If you can avoid that, you'll be doing alright.

[Fentonite]

...I caught my Amigo on fire when I did the suspension...

I gotta know how.

[Irving]

I gotta know how.

We were heating a shock tower bolt that had probably never been turned since it first left the factory and caught the rubber bushings on fire. Probably not a big deal in retrospect, but when it's something you don't do everyday, and don't expect it felt like a big deal at the time. No one should use a torch and not expect a fire though.

[Fentonite]

..No one should use a torch and not expect a fire though.

Quoted for truth.

[ray1970]

No one should use a torch and not expect a fire though.

I'm usually more surprised if a torch doesn't make a fire.

[roberth]

Yes I could just disco all those parts and move the axle enough to get the old springs out and new springs in.

Thank you for the responses, now I just have to figure out the suspension to use.

I could get Icon or Fox or OME is inexpensive in comparison.

[Irving]

Yes I could just disco all those parts and move the axle enough to get the old springs out and new springs in.

Thank you for the responses, now I just have to figure out the suspension to use.

I could get Icon or Fox or OME is inexpensive in comparison.

OME seems to be a pretty popular staple in the off-road (but on trail) community, especially with imports.

Searching on an off-road forum (I assume you already are) or even a Toyota board will be useful for reviews and making sure you're paying $3,000 for only $500 worth in components.