New found inspiration

[F4MDTWR]

Greetings to all,

I have been inspired to restart my build on my 76, but before I do this I have a few questions that would help with my build. first a little info on the rig... completely stock 1976 FJ55, 2F engine. Now the questions.

1. Suspension lift: What is needed to be able to run 35's. Do I need to do a SOA? Or can I go a different route. Which are the best springs to use? Should I also install new shackles. Has anyone use Atlas Springs?

2. Axles: This questions is not completely clear... I want to take the rig to my local playground and play in the mud a little. Are the axles strong enough to withstand the abuse or should I look into swaping out the axles

3. Gears: Are the stock gears set up to run the 35's? if not what gear ratios are best for the 35's

4. Brakes: I serviced my brakes recently (new pads front and rear, rotors, brake lines, master cylinder) but I am still getting a spongy feeling. I bleed the lines about 3 times and still getting the same results, any ideas?

Thank you in advance to anyone who replies

[Lil'John]

Originally Posted by F4MDTWR

Greetings to all,

I have been inspired to restart my build on my 76, but before I do this I have a few questions that would help with my build. first a little info on the rig... completely stock 1976 FJ55, 2F engine. Now the questions.

1. Suspension lift: What is needed to be able to run 35's. Do I need to do a SOA? Or can I go a different route. Which are the best springs to use? Should I also install new shackles. Has anyone use Atlas Springs?

You don't HAVE to do a SOA... but I think the results have shown the SOA being the best for ride and travel. Assuming your springs aren't complete garbage, this is the route I'd go. I resisted SOA on my FJ40 then I saw how well they worked and went that route.

Downside of SOA is axle wrap but you can put a bar on that to stop it.

Originally Posted by F4MDTWR

2. Axles: This questions is not completely clear... I want to take the rig to my local playground and play in the mud a little. Are the axles strong enough to withstand the abuse or should I look into swaping out the axles

You do have the fine spline birfields so that is good. The "bad" news is you have the 2-3 year "wonders" and you still have small knuckle bolt pattern.

I ran my minitruck converted axle behind a V8 with no issues but I also wasn't overly abusive.

The other minor issue is the pinion that may or may not be coarse spline. But if you are changing gears, it is a non-issue.

Originally Posted by F4MDTWR

3. Gears: Are the stock gears set up to run the 35's? if not what gear ratios are best for the 35's

If you are sticking with the 2F, I think the magic number is 4.88 gears... with a V8, 4.11s worked fine for my 40.

[cruiser_guy]

On the brakes I'd try adjusting the rear brake shoes a little (the rear brake shoes are NOT self adjusting like on newer cars). You should be doing this once every 6-9 months depending on how much you drive.

[RLMS]

What are you planning to do with it...mud rocks DD, that will determine the gears, then the tires, then suspension,

[nuclearlemon]

Originally Posted by F4MDTWR

Greetings to all,

I have been inspired to restart my build on my 76, but before I do this I have a few questions that would help with my build. first a little info on the rig... completely stock 1976 FJ55, 2F engine. Now the questions.

1. Suspension lift: What is needed to be able to run 35's. Do I need to do a SOA? Or can I go a different route. Which are the best springs to use? Should I also install new shackles. Has anyone use Atlas Springs?

2. Axles: This questions is not completely clear... I want to take the rig to my local playground and play in the mud a little. Are the axles strong enough to withstand the abuse or should I look into swaping out the axles

3. Gears: Are the stock gears set up to run the 35's? if not what gear ratios are best for the 35's

4. Brakes: I serviced my brakes recently (new pads front and rear, rotors, brake lines, master cylinder) but I am still getting a spongy feeling. I bleed the lines about 3 times and still getting the same results, any ideas?

Thank you in advance to anyone who replies

1. soa, or you will have to do major trimming and custom springs. you don't need to put new shackles in unless yours are bad. never heard of atlas springs. a lot of people (myself included) like alcans. with this much lift, you will have to cut and turn on a 55 or move your axle very far forward which will involve cutting out the fronts of your fenders.

2. cruiser axles are plenty strong unless you seriously abuse them. see lil' john's post. one note, if you do have the course spline pinion, you will have to get new flanges if you regear and will have to drill the flanges to match your driveshaft.

3. 4.56 -4.88

4. I've found power bleeding with a good machine makes a major difference over one way check valves, siphon bleeding, or the two person bleed. also, you have two wheel cylinders per wheel in the back and they have to be adjusted in unison. you also might try rebuilding your calipers.

good luck