Rear Spring Swap hints M1008/1028

[skysix]

Anyone have tips on how to remove/replace the rear springs on a 1008/1028? Specifically how to access the nut on the forward end of the spring?

The rest is easy... except for how to lift the new springpacks up by myself (9+K3500 overload+zerorate with K3500 3 leaf helper = almost 180#) without dropping them while I use one hand to hold and the other to place the bolt...

I have 5 hours to get both rear packs changed, hand tools, on the roadside.

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

The rest is easy... except for how to lift the new springpacks up by myself (9+K3500 overload+zerorate with K3500 3 leaf helper = almost 180#) without dropping them while I use one hand to hold and the other to place the bolt...

The truck is on jackstands, right? So use a floor jack to lift the spring pack.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Why are you changing spring packs roadside, with hand tools and a short window to do so?

 

[skysix]

Bottle jack. I'd really have to lift the truck high to get the jack under the axle and springs but I'm thinking if I do one side at at time and remount the springs on the axle then lift with the jack under one end of the spring, the other side would keep from twisting.

Truck is a long way from home and not allowed to fix on company property so have it on a side street. 12 hr shifts so 5 hrs at a time is all I can do without getting to tired for work next day. I suppose if do one side at a time I could drive a short distance lopsided...