1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

DIY Spring Compressor

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Cdorman, May 1, 2019.

  1. May 1, 2019 at 12:05 PM
    #1
    Cdorman

    Cdorman [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2019
    Member:
    #28088
    Messages:
    55
    Gender:
    Male
    Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    2015 - SR5 - CM - MGM
    Color match MGM Bulge/Grille Trim Pro Grille TRD Pro Headlights(black) OEM led fog lights upgrade Headlight Revolution HID upgrade TVD vinyl decals Fog lights Always MOD Bilstein 5100’s 12Volts remote start kit PowerBass plug/play speaker upgrade
    **advice please**
    Installing my 5100’s next week. Pretty straight forward getting the coil over assembly off with the OEM shock. My question is, should i try to compress the spring and do the swap myself or take it to she shop? I’ve watched videos on shops using the two clamp compressors and seems relatively simple, with a hint of danger obviously. I’m just unsure of a good quality brand of compressor and possibly tips that I’m not seeing in the videos. Any comments are much appreciated.
     
  2. May 1, 2019 at 12:16 PM
    #2
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2018
    Member:
    #14884
    Messages:
    27,723
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Hudson Valley, New York
    Vehicle:
    2018 MGM Tundra TRD Sport Double Cab
    TXRailRoadBandit73 and Fotnot like this.
  3. May 1, 2019 at 12:20 PM
    #3
    Cdorman

    Cdorman [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2019
    Member:
    #28088
    Messages:
    55
    Gender:
    Male
    Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    2015 - SR5 - CM - MGM
    Color match MGM Bulge/Grille Trim Pro Grille TRD Pro Headlights(black) OEM led fog lights upgrade Headlight Revolution HID upgrade TVD vinyl decals Fog lights Always MOD Bilstein 5100’s 12Volts remote start kit PowerBass plug/play speaker upgrade
    Yeah I’m sure you can, just wondering if it’s worth doing myself? Shop in town said they will swap the shocks for $40
     
  4. May 1, 2019 at 12:24 PM
    #4
    incredibillhulk

    incredibillhulk New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2018
    Member:
    #13194
    Messages:
    188
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    My personal opinion, let the shop do it versus trying to use a compressor that wraps around the outside of the spring. From what I recall when I was building my suspension last fall, the store-bought compressors would not properly fit the spring on the Tundra and felt unsafe. Ended up taking the whole assembly to our local shop who had a wall-mounted unit and they were kind enough to do it for free, and it was just overall safer for me.
     
    LarryDangerfield and Smoofers like this.
  5. May 1, 2019 at 12:24 PM
    #5
    Squatting Pigeon

    Squatting Pigeon Squattingpigeon.com Staff Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2018
    Member:
    #14443
    Messages:
    56,114
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Holden
    North Texas
    Vehicle:
    GR Corolla
    Dude, pay the $40.
    I had a spring compressor let loose on me once. No bueno!
     
    Rocko9999, Oey12, Blue By U and 2 others like this.
  6. May 1, 2019 at 12:25 PM
    #6
    triharder

    triharder Sorry, Not Sorry

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2017
    Member:
    #9745
    Messages:
    218
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jake
    Southern, Maine
    Vehicle:
    2010 RWB Black
    Billstein 6112/5160's, coachbuilder spacer on driver side/ 20" rockstar wheels/ 33" nitto ridge grappers/SS Brake lines (or as most people write Break), Painted Calipers/Powercoated Tow hooks/pocket flairs/heated seats,bed leds/line-x liner/xtang trifold/tow mirrors/Stereo Work/Compustar Remote Starter/ retrofit Morimoto Minin H1 and switch back LEDs/ plenty I'm forgetting
    Pay, $40 bucks is cheap insurance so you don't die. (Seriously if something goes wrong you could easy be seriously injured). Unless you have no other choice. I was lucky and had a wall mounted spring compressor here at work I was able to use. (three points of contact on the springs)

    Not worth the risk in my opinion.
     
    pyrite808 likes this.
  7. May 1, 2019 at 12:49 PM
    #7
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADER,RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

    Joined:
    May 30, 2016
    Member:
    #3487
    Messages:
    50,299
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    The 956, TEXAS
    None yet
    You can do yourself, helpful vids on YouTube
     
    ColoradoTJ likes this.
  8. May 1, 2019 at 1:13 PM
    #8
    motod6

    motod6 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2019
    Member:
    #26439
    Messages:
    108
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Vehicle:
    2015 White TRD
    The title of this thread could be its own Faces of Death VHS series
     
  9. May 1, 2019 at 1:16 PM
    #9
    Jrharvey02

    Jrharvey02 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2018
    Member:
    #19822
    Messages:
    1,114
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tundra CM 5.7 Platinum Dark Black
    Darkness likes this.
  10. May 1, 2019 at 1:18 PM
    #10
    Berdine

    Berdine Voodoo Sport

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    Member:
    #8877
    Messages:
    1,901
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Frank
    Binghamton, NY
    Vehicle:
    2020 VooDoo Blue Trd Sport
    $26 off of Amazon. Never used 1 before. This was the first one I did20170901_153856.jpg
     
    TheBeast likes this.
  11. May 1, 2019 at 1:18 PM
    #11
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #378
    Messages:
    39,968
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Aurora CO
    Vehicle:
    2022 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    I used the ToyTec method......I pay.......they do the rest.
     
  12. May 1, 2019 at 1:20 PM
    #12
    Berdine

    Berdine Voodoo Sport

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    Member:
    #8877
    Messages:
    1,901
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Frank
    Binghamton, NY
    Vehicle:
    2020 VooDoo Blue Trd Sport

    Same with me the 2nd time, and my last! No more crappy RC coilovers!
     
    Black Wolf[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. May 1, 2019 at 1:23 PM
    #13
    Jrharvey02

    Jrharvey02 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2018
    Member:
    #19822
    Messages:
    1,114
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tundra CM 5.7 Platinum Dark Black
    I like the use of the pins even know they’re useless for our fatty springs, haha, shrapnel if that thing let’s go! Your original post w that same pic gave me the confidence to do mine.
     
    Berdine[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. May 1, 2019 at 1:26 PM
    #14
    Berdine

    Berdine Voodoo Sport

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    Member:
    #8877
    Messages:
    1,901
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Frank
    Binghamton, NY
    Vehicle:
    2020 VooDoo Blue Trd Sport
    Yeah too fat for the pins, had to force the others in between the coils to fit. It was tight fit, no movement when I started tightening them. Just went slow and steady
     
    Jrharvey02 likes this.
  15. May 1, 2019 at 1:27 PM
    #15
    xJuice

    xJuice This guy...

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2014
    Member:
    #57
    Messages:
    251
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Josh
    DFW, TX
    Vehicle:
    '19 MGM DC SR5 4.6 TSS
    TRD Front & Rear Sway Bar, TRD Pro LED Headlights, Undercover SE, Rear diff. Relocate, console organizer, debadged, color matched handles, mirror caps, and grill
    This. Back when I had an S-10 that was the way everyone replaced springs. They don't have a combined spring/shock assembly to pull out. I got a Tacoma and everyone flipped out when someone mentioned the no compressor method saying you'd kill yourself by not using a spring compressor lol
     
    Watt maker and Pudge like this.
  16. May 1, 2019 at 1:32 PM
    #16
    conlons26

    conlons26 High speed dirt mobile

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2019
    Member:
    #24040
    Messages:
    230
    Gender:
    Male
    Raleighwood, NC
    Vehicle:
    2018 Quiksand Limited CM
    King 2.5's, Toytec shackles, FN BFD 18", 295/70r18 NItto Ridge Grapplers, Dirty Deeds 8" SS, no more chrome, 17' pro grill, Husky mats, TRD Pro shifter + 15hp...
    for $40 pay the shop, its one thing if you are just swapping the shock out and need to hold the spring in place, its another to try and compress them...i.e. installing a bilstien on a taller collar setting. i am not scared to do just about everything on my truck and have done this before...and it was unsettling. loosing an eye or finger is not worth saving $40
     
  17. May 1, 2019 at 1:34 PM
    #17
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,481
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    I personally think spring compressors are easy to use (if used correctly), depending on comfort level.

    On the flip side, paying some money to the place that also does the alignment is never a bad idea.

    Guess it all comes down to "what's your time worth?"
     
    Berdine likes this.
  18. May 1, 2019 at 1:34 PM
    #18
    scpete24

    scpete24 Duuuuuuude

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2017
    Member:
    #6387
    Messages:
    698
    Gender:
    Male
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 TRD Pro Super White
    $40 is cheap and worth it IMO
     
  19. May 1, 2019 at 1:36 PM
    #19
    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2016
    Member:
    #5136
    Messages:
    9,498
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    CT
    Vehicle:
    2015 Blue Ribbon Platinum
    TRD PRO grille, OCD consol organizers, DIY wireless phone charger, 33" Michelin Defender LTX MS, Bak revolver X2 tonneau, weathertech liners, 20% tints. DIY pop n lock, 2018 LED headlights, morimoto fogs, TRD shift knob, DirtyDeeds 8"BAM exhaust, kenwood HU,JL amp, Tech12volts Tundra full speaker upgrade w/sub, Swing case, and lots of fluid film
    Pay the $40 or do the no spring compressor route. I did that twice without issues, easy to do, safer and works well.
     
    Watt maker likes this.
  20. May 1, 2019 at 1:40 PM
    #20
    Wilbur

    Wilbur New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Member:
    #1857
    Messages:
    352
    Gender:
    Male
    Savannah, GA
    Vehicle:
    2014 MGM
    Im doing mine currently using a spring compressor and it works pretty well. You do have to put some ass behind them if you dont have any impacts available. Its also free. Pay the deposit to autozone and receive all money back when i return it.
     
  21. May 1, 2019 at 1:42 PM
    #21
    Jrharvey02

    Jrharvey02 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2018
    Member:
    #19822
    Messages:
    1,114
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tundra CM 5.7 Platinum Dark Black
    See, now you’re talking crazy, I don’t think power tools are recommended regardless if you got em
     
  22. May 1, 2019 at 1:45 PM
    #22
    Jrharvey02

    Jrharvey02 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2018
    Member:
    #19822
    Messages:
    1,114
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tundra CM 5.7 Platinum Dark Black
    I don’t see why the danger is anymore than simply being under a truck on jack stands changing your oil. End of the day if the metal fails, you’re done...suck it up buttercup. I reconcile my differences by at least coming out of these jobs with a new tool and mo’ first hand knowledge.
     
    Darkness likes this.
  23. May 1, 2019 at 1:50 PM
    #23
    Wilbur

    Wilbur New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Member:
    #1857
    Messages:
    352
    Gender:
    Male
    Savannah, GA
    Vehicle:
    2014 MGM
    I'm very happy i have power tools with spring compressors. makes it so much easier to zip that long ass bolt down so then you can torque it with a wrench.
     
  24. May 1, 2019 at 2:05 PM
    #24
    Jrharvey02

    Jrharvey02 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2018
    Member:
    #19822
    Messages:
    1,114
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tundra CM 5.7 Platinum Dark Black
    That’s one deep socket, lol.
     
  25. May 1, 2019 at 2:09 PM
    #25
    Wilbur

    Wilbur New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Member:
    #1857
    Messages:
    352
    Gender:
    Male
    Savannah, GA
    Vehicle:
    2014 MGM
    The nut portion of the spring compressor never moves...
     
  26. May 1, 2019 at 2:11 PM
    #26
    Jrharvey02

    Jrharvey02 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2018
    Member:
    #19822
    Messages:
    1,114
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tundra CM 5.7 Platinum Dark Black
    You’re right, my eyes were nearly closed the entire time, like that face you get when somebody points a rubber band at you, that was me for 15 min doing this.
     
    Darkness likes this.
  27. May 1, 2019 at 2:17 PM
    #27
    Wilbur

    Wilbur New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Member:
    #1857
    Messages:
    352
    Gender:
    Male
    Savannah, GA
    Vehicle:
    2014 MGM
    [​IMG]
     
    Darkness and Jrharvey02[QUOTED] like this.
  28. May 1, 2019 at 2:19 PM
    #28
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2018
    Member:
    #14884
    Messages:
    27,723
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Hudson Valley, New York
    Vehicle:
    2018 MGM Tundra TRD Sport Double Cab
    Pay the $40.
     
  29. May 1, 2019 at 6:47 PM
    #29
    Cdorman

    Cdorman [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2019
    Member:
    #28088
    Messages:
    55
    Gender:
    Male
    Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    2015 - SR5 - CM - MGM
    Color match MGM Bulge/Grille Trim Pro Grille TRD Pro Headlights(black) OEM led fog lights upgrade Headlight Revolution HID upgrade TVD vinyl decals Fog lights Always MOD Bilstein 5100’s 12Volts remote start kit PowerBass plug/play speaker upgrade
    Thanks for the all the input! Gonna pay the $40 :oldglory:
     
  30. May 1, 2019 at 6:59 PM
    #30
    mattyd170

    mattyd170 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2018
    Member:
    #18080
    Messages:
    245
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Rio Rancho, NM
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra Limited Crewmax with Leer shell. Calvary Blue
    Stock for now, but have TRD Rear Sway bar for it.
    It will be the best $40.00 you ever spent, trust me. I did mine myself and wish I could have just taken them somewhere. It is simple, but with a large spring compressor and 10 minutes, someone else can do it for you. Wise decision.
     
    Pudge likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top