I use my D2 as a weekend camping vehicle and have been loading it up pretty good lately. I’m thinking about a 1” spacer lift on the rear to keep things level but have absolutely never done any suspension work. How difficult is this install? I found a YouTube video for a D1 and the suspension diagram for the D2 looks very similar. Is it really just as simple as removing the wheel, jacking up the chassis, removing the shock absorber, jacking up some more until the spring pops out of the top retainer, putting the spacer in and buttoning it back up? Any advice and first hand experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

Yep it can take as little as 20min just make sure you have longer bolts when you install the spacer as the OEM bolts will be to short. You can also install D1 lower spring perches to gain 1/2 an inch. Depends on how much your D2 sags when loaded.

 

Simplest place to start is the D1 spring perches, as mentioned. You don't even need to worry about different bolts, and you can usually find them pretty cheap.
I have used ratchet straps as spring compressors while the weight is on the wheels, so that I don't have to jack everything up past the full extended spring length. Use two of them, at 90 degrees to each other, and make absolutely certain that they aren't slipping as they start to take the spring tension.

 

I found it simplest to disconnect shock, jack up and support frame and then use the bottle jack between frame and axle and use that to push axle down enough to remove spring and do whatever work is required. Will work on springs up to 3". Not a huge fan of spring compressors but definitely safer than ratchet straps plus can be rented for free from part stores (O'Riellys, advanced etc).

 

The rear is super simple. Don't even take the wheels off or jack the truck up. Disconnect the shock and put your bottle jack between the axle and the frame, jack it up, swap spring plates or install the spacer, let it back down. 15 minute job if you're quick.

 

Thanks for the input everyone, especially about the D1 spring spacers, I think that might just do the trick for me. I might check the local yard tomorrow to see if there is a D1 there I can take them from for super cheap. If not it looks like there are plenty available new and used for a good price.