New M416 in Va

[Luke111]

Here's my new M416, I still can't believe this guy sold it for $325 and towed it almost two hours to my door. He said his wife was so happy to see it go she let him buy a new trailer to haul his ATV'S. Enjoy the pic's.

Lou

[Luke111]

Came with the Military lights, hand brake and the ID Plate. Plan for now is to blast it bare, re fab the tailgate, bed liner and paint it

Lou

[Luke111]

Tailgate is in need of lots of help

[cruiser88]

oh those convoy lights ARE COOL

[John Smith]

I would weld that "tailgate" shut and bring it back to original. Otherwise, when you take that river crossing your poor M416 will take on water and sink instead of floating as it is intended to.

[Luke111]

I thought about doing that but decided to refab the tailgate . I don't plan on deep water cross in my 55. The tailgate will be usefull for unloading stuff for the house, mulch, gravel etc. I did start breaking down the trailer to the frame today, Its off to Chem-Strip for a little dip. I'll keep ya'll posted on the progress.

Lou

[76 TOY]

Thats a sweet deal.
I got just about the same thing.
I paid $400 for mine and the guy delivered it since I did not have a pintle hitch at the time.
His wife was glad to see it go as well.

It's now sprung over waiting for 6 lug hubs and a set of 35's.

1st- just after delivery
2nd- just after a cheap-o paint job
3rd- new tail lights

[Luke111]

That looks great. I plan on ordering a new axle with Cruiser bolt pattern and SOA.

Lou

[Luke111]

The day started great, broke down the complete trailer, lots of broken bolts, 4 letter words etc... finally whipped out the angle grinder with a cut-off wheel and went to town on the last few stubborn bolts, then the bad happened, It started with a big crack!!!! and a 70 ft dead tree came down in my back yard . About five min later I cut a nice 3/4 gash in my finger when the cut off wheel jumped.

After 4 stitches and three hours at the hospital, Lessons learned the hard way....always hold the grinder with two hands and use leather gloves not shop gloves.

The trailer is off to chem strip next week and I'm ordering the suspension system from Adventure Trailer, stay tuned.

Lou

[scottryana]

Lou,

It sounds like you had some bad luck. At the very least you will have plenty of firewood to put in your new trailer ;-)

Ryan.

[Luke111]

Here's a few pic's of the frame and boxed , just back from Chem-Strip, It came out really nice, all the bed rust is gone along with many layers of paint. They sprayed a thin layer of coating to protect it from flash rust, thers are a few small area's of flash rust as it has set in my drive way for two day's. Plan on shooting some weld-through primer tomorrow then it's off to the welder to fab the extended draw arms and redo the tailgate. BTW taking the advise of a few Mudders, I decided the Adventure Trialer suspension is to pricey at this time, so my plan is to follow what others have done and just order new spings, hubs. etc.

Lou

[Luke111]

Here's a few more

Lou

[Cattledog]

Looks great!

So what is chem strip? and how much? I was using a wire brush and rust converter on my trailer, the job looks like crap currently.

New springs can be found at saturn surplus for $52.50. From my searching CJ3A front springs will work too. Rancho and another company make lift springs that may work.

[green73]

I had a M416. I never used it and sold it. I do dig them. Looks like you are off to an amazing start. There is a M416 forum on msn somewhere. Somehow I am still a member. It isn't all that active, but may be a good source for stuff. Congrats on the find, and deal.

[Luke111]

Its a local company that uses a water based chemical in a huge tank, big enough to dip a car, that strips paint and rust. It cost as much as the trailer to strip. I also look into blasting and the cost was the same. I live in VA just outside of Wash DC everythings expensive but I felt it was worth it. Thanks for the info about your sources.

Lou

[REZARF]

Lou-

That looks awesome man! What a clean slate to start from. Although I think the AT Suspension is the baddest thing to happen to these trailers in 50 years, I bet the money you save will net you all the other "goodies" you could want in a trailer like this.

I'll be watching to see the progess!

Rezarf <><

[REZARF]

Oh yeah, I hope your finger heals up soon too! Sorry for the bad day bud.

[Luke111]

Thanks Drew, your trialer is shaping up nicely, I plan on using your source for axle and springs. Yeah the money I save will help pay my final bill with IPOR on my 55 project.

Lou

[REZARF]

Originally Posted by Luke111

Thanks Drew, your trialer is shaping up nicely, I plan on using your source for axle and springs. Yeah the money I save will help pay my final bill with IPOR on my 55 project.

Lou

Lou, I think the major factor for me not upgrading my suspension on my trailer is that my cruiser is still a leaf sprung vehicle. I think there isn't too much sense in having a trailer with a more supple suspension than my old crusier. Now if I was driving a late Taco or 100 series the tables would be turned and then I think you would get all the benifit of the air bags.

Your trailer looks sweet! I can't wait to see it come together.

Drew

[Luke111]

Just received this from Adventure Trailer, 6000 lb Lock-n-Roll Coupler.

Lou

[Cattledog]

What is the advantage of this hitch over the Lunette/ pintle setup?

[Exiled]

Originally Posted by Cattledog

What is the advantage of this hitch over the Lunette/ pintle setup?

Quieter for sure. Completely removable for security (although that can be done with a lunette/pintle as well).

[REZARF]

Very NICE!

I am debating if I should drop the coin on one too.

Rezarf <><

[Luke111]

Today I sanded the frame and tub, and primed both. The back of the tub and the front of the frame, I primed with weldable primer because both need some fab work.

Lou

[Luke111]

Also painted the bottom with a oil base enamal, came out pretty nice.

Lou

[colangut]

Did you bring it to Ready-Strip in Upper Marlboro md or is there another one locally in Fairfax?

thanks

John

[Luke111]

That's the place, maybe they change their name to Chem Strip, just of the beltway in Upper Marlboro.

Lou