Well, I actually just lucked out and found a picture of the front suspension for my dakota and they dont need coil springs I bought two monroe shock absorbers and am going to install them this weekend hopefully. I have really no tools besides a few wrenches and screwdrivers and basic crap. Im not going to need a shock compressor or anything made specially for the job am i?

 

No you wont need anything other than wrenches and stuff. Just jack up the front(the side you are working on) and let the suspension hang and take it loose and you will be ok. You will have to soak the bolts down with penetrating oil because they will be tough to get loose especially the one on top. Hope this helps..