Yeah John; I would've done the same thing
good thing you're here(there) first
Ed- when I did mine I used a length of threaded rod a bit longer than the uncompressed plunger units, with flanged washers and two big square washers. Next time I'll cut slots in the square washers (flat bar) so they'll slide out, with maybe a thinner S/S (sheet metal) washer/plate either side of each square washer to make it easier to get it/them out, and protect paint, and with a slightly-greater-than a 1" hole so the plunger column can pass through before they're removed...
All kinda like in the picture- maybe
There's many ways to do it and maybe I'll think of someway better if/when I need to.