For my front 5100 install I bought a basic hydraulic spring compressor on ebay, somewhere around $100 to $110 shipped IIRC. Professional grade, no, but plenty good for an owner.



Another option as someone mentioned is pull the assemblies and take them to a local shop.

 

The last time I changed out my front shocks, my mechanic had the compressor like in the photo. I swear, with each rotation of the wrench, my manhood crawled further and further inward, by the time it was over, I changed my name to Joann.
That clamshell one looks like a good thing, if I was doing it anytime soon again, I'd likely buy it, just for insurance and peace of mind.

 

I used two sets of the sketchy compressors, and couldn't get the spring to compress enough without fear of losing a limb for the 2.1" (top) setting. They took the springs off fine, but wouldn't compress enough with the increased tension when trying to put them on the new struts. I ended up taking them to a shop in town and giving them $25 to put the springs on the new struts. In fact, I took one of them in partially compressed with the tools still on. When they put it in their wall mounted machine, the tips broke off two of my tools. It was only a matter of time before the whole thing exploded.

As a side note, I used the same tools to do the springs on my Mustang. They worked fine for those. The truck springs are much heavier.

 

 

pansies.

Depending on when and who made the compressor you rented it should have come with safety locks. Like the picture above - 2 screw bars, 2 metal caputure arms/hooks, and in the arm a safety pin that keeps the arm locked to the spring coil - so it can't slip off.

screw rods on either side equally - this is a bit important - and if you read the directions you are supposed to turn them by hand - one turn at a time - alternating between them. Some of the kits are made for larger truck springs - some are not - the vehicle load rating is often in the directions or it says on there for springs rated at ______ lbs.

Now - that one kit posted for 114 from eastwood is a reasonable compromise and looks to be a bit safer and easier than the 2 screw method. And now that I see the hydraulic jack device I'm curious as to the price of that. I hope one day to get on one of these closed up shop sales I keep hearing about and getting a professional spring compressor from a place that went out of business. Buddy of mine got his lift that way. Had to go take it apart and haul it off - but 300 dollars got him a 2 post lift with everything. The shop was an tire shop and they had a spring compressor and he didn't even think to look at it.

anyway - of the devices there I would look at that hydraulic piece or that eastwood piece. maybe even go half and half with a friend or local in your area. if using a screw method it is perfectly acceptable to admit you need a breaker bar to turn the screw. often you can get a good start with a ratchet (like a 1/2 drive) and them move up to a breaker bar as the force gets higher - I often have to.

 

I am in the middle of installing 5100's on my 2016 F150.

I got a loaner spring compressor set from Advance Auto. It is a Powerbuilt 648627. It sucks!
The spring diameter is too big to allow the safety pins to engage without beating on them (I tried one and am afraid I will destroy them if I beat all 4 in position)
The reach on the clamps is too short by about 1/2". So the top bracket assy will hit the screw when tightened. Or if reversed, I cant get a socket on it.

I dont think the cheaper loaner tools are for trucks. Small cars maybe. Im not going to risk it with this cheapie tool.
Im taking them back and exploring other options.

EDIT: I found a compressor that works at Auto Zone. Power Built 641429T
My local store had a loaner ($200 deposit).
Ive already used it to disassemble and re assemble one side.

 

i paid $240 and had a Brakes plus do the entire install. I was planning on doing it myself but then chickened out due to compressing the springs lol.

 

I just bought one similar to the one from Eastwood. Got it on Ebay for $70. It’s beefy and will definately work.

 

https://m.autozone.com/loan-a-tools/..._0_0?location=

autozone tool loaner program. This thing is awesome. Put it in my bench vise and used my half inch impact gun. Worked like a dream. This thing is the only reason i chose to do the job myself.

 

I think i need to get off my butt and go rent this.