Compessing shocks for install...

[CK5]

So I scored a set of Bilstein 5160's for my truck and needed to compress the shocks, the suspension was already was dropped as far as it could go.
Just wrapped a ratchet strap around the end an a few seconds later it was at the correct height. I'm sure there are others ways as well.

 

[obijuank5]

That’s pretty good way to hold it.
At a shop I worked at we had an attachment for a floor jack that was just a V for the lower shock loop.
Could do almost everything like that.
8 years later I still haven’t built my own yet lol

 

[K5Devil]

Tried this on this Ford F350 with 1 ton valved Dobinsons I believe. Even with a ratchet strap I couldn’t get them to budge was way too stiff was going to dig into the resi. Ended up letting out the nitrogen and refilling lol Only reason I had to take them off was because the local Les Schwab installed them backwards.

 

[Blue85]

Probably not all combination of mounts and straps have room to get the hook back through after install. Sometimes I use the factory compression strap to keep them short, bolt the top in, then slip the strap off while guiding the lower bushing towards the hole. As long as you stab the bolt, or some pointy object through the hole at the right time, it's fine. After both bolts are in, just cut the factory strap.

You can always bench press them short to start the process, but those 5160's may have a lot of charge for that.

Also, interesting rear sway bar.