Did you use 2 bottle jacks on the same axle, one on each side at the same time? I was picturing they used 1 bottle jack at a time to push one side down. Was not sure about 2 at the same time.

 

I think he means two bottle jacks on the same side. one jacking the axle from the ground and the other on the axle (or something as tall and sturdy) jacking the body.

 

thanks. Don't think I've used a bottle jack in 20 years. I couldn't even imagine using that on the side of the road. Just seems so, "small". Anyway, I have my floor jack and 6-ton stands, and I was thinking that might not get the truck high enough off the ground for the springs. Sounds like it will be OK.

 

Yeah, you should be ok, I used the floor jack and a bottle jack on the same side and it was fine.

 

Exactly Dave!

JamieB you'd be surprised, but as long as your LR jack hasn't lost it's fluid it's a very high quality jack. I've used it vs a floor jack during lifts because it's easier to grab and position quickly vs wheeling it around.

 

Thanks guys. Might as well ask while I'm here -- about how high do I need to get the truck up in order to be able to drop the axle low enough with the bottle jack? Trying to decide if i need my jacks on wood blocks, or have them extended way up. Don't want to get the truck on stands then find I'm not high enough to clear.

Thanks.

 

Once you get the wheel off it will become obvious...

It is a two stage process, not just about how high the truck because once the wheel is off you can uncompress the spring by lowering the axel with the jack there while raising the body with the other jack.

Naturally the axel will go lower than normal with the wheel off which makes less body lifting necessary.

 

I forget the truck is resting on the frame so the chassis is going up and the wheels are the same height off the ground as before. Thanks again.

 

I used some of these on standard length springs with the truck supported under the chassis (frame) so full droop on the suspension. It made it easy peasy no struggles, no bottle jacks just spring compressors. Just make sure you have the springs the correct side and the right way up, there are differences.

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IMHO the bottle jack is quicker to get your axle to drop a little more to insert the spring and also safer. The Spring Compressor is time consuming, scratches the paint on your coils (they tend to slide around at first until it's tight on the spring), and you MUST align them properly across from each other as to not damage the spring during install, but with the spring perch/frame in the way that isn't always as easy as it sounds to do.

I've done at least 10 D1/D2 lifts and the bottle jack is without a doubt the winner vs the spring compressor tools.

Honestly with an OEM bottle jack lifting your D2, you should be able to install some jack stands, and with the tires & shocks off you should be able to get the axle to fully drop (if equipped with larger tires a block under the bottle jack is handy to compensate for the larger tires). Then stick the bottle jack in one side between the axle (on the bump stop flat spot for example) and then on the frame and pump it until you can remove the coil.

I do take the time to remove the ABS/Brake line bracket on both rear sides to prevent any damage to them (I think it's a single 10mm on each side).