These are the heavy duty ones with J hook shaped hold down pins. I cannot get the small spring compressed enough to go behind the pin while holding the shoe in place. Is there a special tool for this? NAPA or any retailer part # appreciated. I've already smashed my hand and knuckles a couple times.

 

Confused here. The return spring as in this diagram or the hold down pins?

 

OP's truck has 12" x 2 1/2" rear brakes aka heavy duty brakes.

The pic you posted is for 12 1/8" x 2" rear brakes that use different hold down springs.

 

I just use vice grips or pliers and grab the spring and push into place and position the pin with the other hand.

 

I made a tool out of a large wide screw driver. I ground a notch in the end that is wide and deep enough to hold the spring. Then just push the spring down and put the hook on

 

Snap-On makes one. Their website has it for $26.50.#B1359B

 

Ok thanks, I'll check on Snap On's site. Vice grips wouldn't work as none are big enough to fit over a 2 1/2 inch shoe & I've never seen that wide of pliers either. The pic at the bottom is the same as mine.
( mine being a 1972 F250 rear end with 3.54 ratio going into '66 F250)

 

wow that is a large picture?

Anyway the vice grips don't go on spring and backing plate - just grab the spring stem with the pliers and push in the right direction. The shoe will stay in place.

Use your free hand to align the j-hook to the spring stem.

A wide flat blade screw driver with a notch is also a good idea.

 

Thanks guys. I ended up getting a flat 1" wide chisel and grinded a slot in the middle of the blade to use as a tool & C clamped the shoe to hold it in place. The spring was still a bear as I can sometimes be weak as water but I got it on. The rest is easy.