All the single screw spring compressors will be expensive or make sure your health insurance plan is a good one. You really don’t need this for the 2WD but for a Syncro it really pays off especially with new or longer springs. 
When changing springs or anytime the shock will be removed and the lower control arm allowed to fall you need to loosen the radius rod mounts and the lower control arm mounts if they are the original type. Over twisting the mounts will cause them to separate from the center sleeve. Those mounts are left loose until the van is back on the ground and then your tighten them in that position. They are likely in need of replacement anyway. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Miguel Pacheco
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2015 11:44 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Spring Compressor

Van Cafe recommends this for compressing springs and I understand it's the
shiz-niz:
http://shop.ktcautotools.com/products/macpherson-strut-spring-compressor-bmw-toyota-honda
but that's 259.00 US and I see others on Amazon, for much less, but the information on jaw size is not included with every spring compressor. Does anyone know which is the comparable compressor on Amazon?
*Miguel*

*The free soul is rare, but you know it when you see it- basically because you feel good, very good, when you are near or with them. *
*- Charles Bukowski, Tales of Ordinary*