FedEx dropped off the goods Tuesday morning, I was at Autozone at lunch getting the spring compressor's and by the time the sun went down I had the back done. I took today off from work and did the front along with the ATrac/Locker hack. All in all it took a total of about 6 hours for the front and the back by myself. It is a world of difference working on a truck that the bolts don't snap from rust (88 4Runner / 96 FZJ80).
Here are a few things that are notable from the install:
1) Because I did it alone, I used the factory bottle jack to push he rear axle down to get the new springs in. I placed it on top of the axle tube and pushed it into the bump stop. Works like a charm!
2) I ended up renting 2 sets of compressors from AutoZone and used three of the units per coil. At no point was I nervous. They held up very well.
3) After the new front coils are on and you decompress them, pull the threaded rod all the way out of the "hooks" and then pry the "hooks out of the coil. Much easier than doing it with the threaded rod still in them.
4) Use air tools to compress the springs. If you don't have them, get them. I can't imagine having to do this without them!!
Measurements (Before / After)
Driver Front 34.25 / 37.75
Pass Front 34.5 / 38
Driver Rear 35.5 / 37.75
Pass Rear 36 / 38
To bottom of Lic Plate 23 / 27
To bottom of Hitch Recvr 16.5 / 18
Here are some pics: