any tricks or short cuts to make this easy. do you really need a spring compressor

 

You really need one. On my '97 the bolts on the ends of the shocks were rusted on and I couldn't do anything with them. I bought the new shocks and took them to a mechanic who charged me $60 to take the old ones off and put the new ones on. It was worth it, I felt a lot more comfortable doing it that way.

 

Yes, you need a spring compressor.

I have an online guide:

http://www.injuneer.com/HALEibch.html

 

I like the design of that puller. With a "U" bolt on every coil there is no way for it to slip. It should be much safer than the kind with only a "finger" in the coil.