another m416 buildup

[missipboy]

i didn't take any pics before i started. i found the trailer local for $500, which is more than i wanted to spend, but the best deal i could find. my intentions for the trailer are to take it camping in offroad conditions behind my trail rig, but then to also be able to pull down the road safely behind the lv after minimal modifications. it's gonna sport soa, 35's, extended tongue, custom lid, roof-top-tent, generator, slide-out kitchen, water tank, and whatever else i can dream up and aquire for cheap. i've been working on it for about 10 days and i'm trying to get finished by the middle of next week. thursday my fj45lv gets here and i want to be able to focus all my attention on it. so far i've done the soa, found a free set of heep wheels and painted em black, repacked and sealed the hubs, and started on a two foot tongue extension. i already had some worn 35 ssr's, and a generator with a busted fuel tank someone left at the store during katrina. my wife has collaborated with family and they're going to get me a tent for my birthday. the kitchen may have to wait till next year. there is some rust that will be patched for the time being. some pics.

[missipboy]

the old wheels may get some new tires sometime in the future and may be used behind the lv. or....i'm thinking about replacing the axle for a six lug, so only one spare would be needed, but don't want to spend the time or money right now. i've got to come up with a way to switch from a lunette to a 2 inch ball. i'm keeping the original lunette setup, so i may find another ring and weld a 2 inch hitch to it.

[missipboy]

few more

[missipboy]

here's the generator. it's a devilbiss gt5000. doesn't look like it's been used much. the muffler still hasn't turned black. the only problem is that it's loud as hell. i'm thinking i can attach some sort of bigger muffler to it to quiet it down. anybody ever done that? or think it would work?

[REZARF]

65 looks and no replies!

Looks good man, keep up the good work.

Drew

[kent l]

It looks great, I would like to see more pics of your progress. I would liketo see tires wheels and the spring over right side up. I would be interested on how it handles and how many inches the tounge is off the ground to make it level.

[missipboy]

once i finish the tongue extension i'll let you know. i still haven't seen it right side up with the new tires, wheels and soa.

[missipboy]

i finished the tongue and decided to pull the tub off the frame. might as well do it right while i'm this far into it.

[missipboy]

here's a pic of some of the rust i'm dealing with. i'm still trying to figure out how to approach it. right now i'm planning on cutting it out and patching with new metal since it's isolated in just one corner. i'll probably have to cut out 10 to 15 percent of the bed.

[TM98]

Did you put those shocks on or were they already on? What kind are they and the part number.

[missipboy]

don't have the part # right now but i can get it. i took the old shock to napa and got some an inch or two shorter because i did the soa and the shock mount was closer to the frame. basic napa cheapo's.

[missipboy]

Did you put those shocks on or were they already on? What kind are they and the part number.

shock part # is 94005 napa brand and the hub seals were # 22340 if anybody is interested.

i decided to go ahead and replace the whole floor. anybody know if you can get a stock replacement? or am i gonna have to replace it with sheet?

never mind about the floor; i found it at jeep panels plus. $190, though.

[KY854RUN]

I've read nothing but good things about Jeep Panels Plus. Your new floor will be stock when you are done.

[RHINO]

looks like fun man !!

for the generator, i had a loud one many moons ago and put a 10ft coil of soft copper on it, hey thats what i had, it was almost a wisper. if you do somethig like that with maybe conduit, run it down the length of the trailer or something.

on the floor, i cut out the section i needed from an unused pickup truck bed, was great. i dont think you'll find much better then $190 on the price at todays steel market.

[missipboy]

my floor would be stock, but nothing else would. i'm really not wanting to spend that kind of change on a floor just to keep it stock. i may just find me an old truck bed since it's not even gonna look like an m416 when i'm done anyway.


i think the actual generator and engine make alot of the noise i'm hearing. i will probably set it off away from the campsite, so it may not be that big of a deal.

[missipboy]

kent 1, i did finally flip it over and the tongue sits level at about 31 inches. that's if the lunette is in the top hole and that's also with no weight on the trailer-just the frame, dirt and rust.

[KY854RUN]

If you won't need the floor drains, then the floor of an old truck bed will do fine.

[missipboy]

update....got the frame painted and found an old dodge truck bed a friend gave me, thanks bubba. it's cut and needs some final trimming for a good fit. (it would have been much easier to buy the replacement floor for $190 and if i wasn't going for cheap i would have done just that)
next up is:
weld in the bed
cut the tailgate and brace it up
fab up the lid
make mounts for fuel, propane and the generator
pull the tub back off
fab in a rear reciever hitch "just cuz"
paint the tub and top white-fenders black
"rhino line" the inside and bottom

here are some slow progress pics for ya.

[missipboy]

couple more.

[ram]

Work looks great. Now put your welding skills to use and install the floor.

[missipboy]

did you mean.............this floor?


and thanks for the pity post.

[RHINO]

MMMMMMMMM ribs,,,,,, floor looks right at home there.

[REZARF]

Looking great man, keep it up. Do it once do it right.

Rezarf <><

[nat]

That is coming out great. Keep it up

[third coast cruisers]

awesome

keep the momentum going.

[vtcruiser60]

I am learning and enjoying your thread. Thanks for the pics and info. Nice work......!!!

[missipboy]

i've cut the tailgate, but having trouble coming up with a good method to seal it. i left two inches on the sides and about 1 inch of lip on the bottom. anybody have pics of what they've done? i can't find any.

[missipboy]

finished the tailgate and the rear hitch. tailgate took up way too much of my time and i still think i may rig a handle so i can open and close it one-handed. gonna try and get it lined and painted first. the lid is gonna have to wait till i can find some angle iron and sheet metal. pics...........

[missipboy]

tailgate cables came from the same dodge i got the bed from. the tailgate has two compression springs in the middle with two pieces of 3/4 inch bar stock and threaded in 3/8 bar for handles. the hinges are stanley's that i got from lowe's.

[missipboy]

dot dot dot