If you compress the spring while it's in the truck it'll probably allow removal without removing the upper arm. Installing the compressor while the suspension is loaded eliminates all or most of the work of cranking the compressors.
Another option may be to hammer out the lower mounting studs allowing the bottom of the shock to slide out instead of having to be lifted out, that could eliminate the need to compress the spring.
If you don't want to transfer the springs and ends, you can buy shocks that come fully assembled with the springs ready to install. The lower bolts on most, maybe all, aftermarket shocks aren't pressed in like the OE ones so if the old one slips out with the studs removed, the new one will slip in.