Westcott Lift DIYers input

Planning on doing my Westcott lift and was wondering what spring compressor you guys used. Please spare me the "have a shop do it" comments, just looking for the tool that worked for those who DIY'd it.

I have this one from HF but from what I've read, the springs are quite stiff on these trucks

 

Tried to compress my Icon shock springs with a AutoZone rental and they would not work. Spring clamps were too big and would rub on shock body.

Got this one and it works. Not the same shocks as yours but hope the info helps you.

BILITOOLS 2-Piece Coil Spring Compressor Tool Heavy Duty Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Set with Safety Jaws and Holder, Max Load.2645LB

$49 BILITOOLS 2-Piece Coil Spring Compressor Tool Heavy Duty Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Set with Safety Jaws and Holder, Max Load.2645LB

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PYR6NVF

 

Those 'heavy duty' are only on paper but can survive one or two jobs. Clamps are easily bent. I my case I ended up (Expedition not Tundra) using 3 regular compressor sticks.

 

You’ll need a strut tamer and westcott has a DIY YT video

 

You might be able to take it apart while on the truck. That's how I swapped 5100's in my 2019. I've not done any research on my 22 for a lift yet.

 

Westcott shows they did theirs with a cheap spring compressor off Amazon for like $60. At 1:30 in video you can see the tool.



I did my own Westcott install using a spring compressor in shop I work and that thing was struggling to compress the truck spring. We have the OTC StrutTamer Extreme 6591. I manage to get it to work but it was scary. We call it the Widow Maker in the shop. I’m surprise Westcott manage to use the cheap spring compressor. You got to compress the spring even more to put the coilover back together with the Westcott preload collar.


The 3rd gen spring is so stiff, stiffer than previous gen. Toyota had to put out a warning and techtips for the dealer to be careful with spring compressor that can’t handle it. They had to develop a special tool spring compressor to compress the spring.

 

I've used the Amazon compressors 3 times with no issues. 2 Tundra TRD PROS and a 4Runner with Westcott lift.

 

I used the same with my Pro and thought it would have been easier. It was definitely sketchy and didn’t want to stay straight. I figured they’d work better than the Amazon cheapo’s but maybe not.

 

Tried to use the same wall mount unit as takievo. Sketchy. Scary. Spent an hour. Couldn’t do it. Finally did it on the truck using a floor jack to compress as cornfed suspension suggests, worked great and was quick.

 

The truck weight method seems popular and much safer from those that have done it. Of course I’ve never tried it. Several videos on YouTube.
I didn’t want to attempt compressing these springs myself. Pulled them out and paid a shop $50. Took 10 minutes. Best decision I made

 

This is what I’d suggest if I was to do it again if I didn’t have a good enough spring compressor.

Although my shop just got a new spring compressor that is way better, the

$840 Branick 7600 Strut Spring Compressor

Branick 7600. So I’m more confident I can do it myself with the new spring compressor. Manager got approval for the Branick after I nearly died from doing a Jeep Grand Cherokee front strut. The wall mounted OTC snapped and shot the spring out.

 

My 2014 Tundra, I used a HF spring compressor just fine. Lived to type this out. LoL Then read someone suggested this method so I tried it on my 2019 and was great. Still undecided on what I want to do to the 22. One hand I want the TRD lift. On the other hand, I only want the look, will never off road with it. So a cheaper lift will probably be just fine.

 

This guy makes it look so easy and within 15 seconds, am I missing something?
https://youtu.be/fnIGZfDHJPo

 

If you didn't want to purchase them, I am pretty sure you can rent spring compressors from the local auto parts store.

 

Don't be this guy.

 

this is the way.