Which hand tools needed to replace shocks/struts?

[detroiter]

It's been a long time since I've changed these things out and a while back I picked up a set of TRD suspension from a fantastic member here on this forum, it's finally thawed out in Michigan that it's time for it to be swapped in. At the current time, I only have hand tools available to work with and I can't recall all what I need to do the job of taking out the old suspension and putting the new ones in. The good news is that the springs are already on the TRD struts going in, so I don't need to mess with that stuff.

Another question is I do remember ages ago when I put in the rear suspension, when trying to tighten down the nuts with a wrench...the rod from the shock would just keep spinning, I had to have a friend help me out with an air gun to tighten it down. I'd imagine it's doable with hand tools though, any advice?

Last question is, was there ever a definitive conclusion to the difference in the rear control arms about the upper and lower holes for the bolt to go into?

Thanks in advance!