I'm getting close to an M416..3 of em'!!

airlaird · 04-02-08, 09:31 PM

Guys this is a great story you'll appreciate. First there are NO M416 trailers to be found in Texas....I have searched for months and nothing. So, I had to take a 100 mile trip for my job today.
As we all know, you hear stories about finding a "treasure " ...i.e. a pristine FJ40 in a barn under a tarp etc..etc...
I left today for my trip thinking "OK, I need to find a Old Military Vehicle surplus shop off the highway that has M416 trailers" Sounds real stupid I know....What are the odds on a 100 mile trip right ...I mean WHAT ARE THE ODDS?? So, while enroute, NO LUCK.
I return back from my job and head east toward home.

And There they were..........

I did a double take and saw Sand colored Military trucks, wrecked airplanes ...and 2 Military jeeps. I do a U-turn in the grassy medium and got stuck in the mud....up to my bumpers. A passing PASTOR pulls up within 1 minute and pulls me out. Divine intervention?????? ( I can't make this stuff up).

I pull up to the shop and there they were....THREE M416's. Just sitting there. They were rusty of course but apppeared to be solid. They were behind a locked fence and I could not get in. the place was closed so I left a message on the gate for him to call me. We'll see what happens.
QUESTION: What do I need to look for on these things..will the old wheels hold up to a return 50 mile trip??
airlaird

third coast cruisers · 04-02-08, 09:34 PM

do tell of the location.

i am in need of a trailer as well and that is not to far from me.

airlaird · 04-02-08, 10:47 PM

Well, let me hear from the guy first. I'll keep this location close to me for now...too many Texas foks on this list ;-)) Apparently, he only goes to his shop on Saturday's...so I'll see if he calls.
airlaird

97 FZJ80 · 04-03-08, 12:29 AM

I'm interested in one.

mep1811 · 04-03-08, 03:37 PM

I think I drove past that place on one of my many trips across Texas. Bring air to fill up the tires and see if you can wrangle a spare wheel.

KOWBOY · 04-03-08, 03:47 PM

Take a car trailer a load 'em all up if the price is right.

Sell off two of 'em at a profit to help pay for yours.

airlaird · 04-03-08, 04:42 PM

I'm way ahead of ya Kowboy ;-)))
Steve

wearsabrowncoat · 04-03-08, 06:35 PM

Tires should be fine as long as they hold air, I would be worried about the wheel bearings and axle needing service. The trailer is not heavy so you should be able to flip it up on end to get a good look at them. Probably should bring some grease.

Make sure you have a complete front foot assembly. It should swing freely and lock horizontally and vertically.

Make sure the hand brake engages and releases.

The tubs are not very thick so find one that isn't too beat up and doesn't have much rust.

Check all mods carefully (lighting, lunnette to tow ball, lift gate). I'm not opposed to them but they need to be done right to maintain the intergrity.

That's all I can think of.

airlaird · 04-04-08, 04:18 PM

Great advice...thanks. I'll do just that.....if he calls me this weekend.;-)
airlaird

airlaird · 04-07-08, 05:18 PM

Well, I drove out there again (about 60 miles) and found my last message I left him taped to his gate....had been torn off. I found it on the ground. Apparently he is an eccentric guy. he has no phone number and his shop is so rural...there's no way to call him. But, my investigative skills came through and I tracked him down ;-))).
I will be calling him tomorrow. With any luck, he'll agree to sell me an M416.
I sure hope so...he has MANY MORE SCATTERED ON HIS LAND...I have seen about 5 so far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
airlaird

KingBeeIII · 04-07-08, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airlaird

Well, I drove out there again (about 60 miles) and found my last message I left him taped to his gate....had been torn off. I found it on the ground. Apparently he is an eccentric guy. he has no phone number and his shop is so rural...there's no way to call him. But, my investigative skills came through and I tracked him down ;-))).
I will be calling him tomorrow. With any luck, he'll agree to sell me an M416.
I sure hope so...he has MANY MORE SCATTERED ON HIS LAND...I have seen about 5 so far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
airlaird

I'd tread lightly, my friend.

Eccentric + militarty equipment = ?

REZARF · 04-07-08, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingBeeIII

I'd tread lightly, my friend.

Eccentric + militarty equipment = ?

No doubt!

airlaird · 04-07-08, 05:50 PM

Believe me....I have already thought of that....that's why a phone call is first ;-)
airlaird

kcsmithson · 04-08-08, 12:29 PM

I am pretty sure I know where they are. As many times as I have been by there. Not much changes. He doesn't strike me as the sort that sells a lot after it arrives. Good Luck.

evldave · 04-09-08, 10:23 AM

You might try finding something to trade. Eccentric collectors like that aren't in it for the money, they are in it for the stuff - if you've got something interesting to trade, and you approach it from a 'I've got something you might like' rather than 'I want to take something you've spent time collecting' you might be able to talk him into swapping you for a trailer or two.

04-02-08, 09:31 PM	#1
airlaird IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 1,145	I'm getting close to an M416..3 of em'!! Guys this is a great story you'll appreciate. First there are NO M416 trailers to be found in Texas....I have searched for months and nothing. So, I had to take a 100 mile trip for my job today. As we all know, you hear stories about finding a "treasure " ...i.e. a pristine FJ40 in a barn under a tarp etc..etc... I left today for my trip thinking "OK, I need to find a Old Military Vehicle surplus shop off the highway that has M416 trailers" Sounds real stupid I know....What are the odds on a 100 mile trip right ...I mean WHAT ARE THE ODDS?? So, while enroute, NO LUCK. I return back from my job and head east toward home. And There they were.......... I did a double take and saw Sand colored Military trucks, wrecked airplanes ...and 2 Military jeeps. I do a U-turn in the grassy medium and got stuck in the mud....up to my bumpers. A passing PASTOR pulls up within 1 minute and pulls me out. Divine intervention?????? ( I can't make this stuff up). I pull up to the shop and there they were....THREE M416's. Just sitting there. They were rusty of course but apppeared to be solid. They were behind a locked fence and I could not get in. the place was closed so I left a message on the gate for him to call me. We'll see what happens. QUESTION: What do I need to look for on these things..will the old wheels hold up to a return 50 mile trip?? airlaird

04-03-08, 12:29 AM	#4
97 FZJ80 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Plano Texas Posts: 1,271	I'm interested in one. __________________ 97 LX450 - Plano, TX ARB winch bumper - triple lockers - center d/l switch - reclining mid/rear seats - HIRs - map/domes/doors/cargo/tail LEDs - crystal clear lights - aux fuse block - power outlets - lots of cupholders - PriorityStart! - Optima - exact mats - Waeco fridge - xfer case cover To be installed: OME 851/852, Bilsteins, dual batteries w/Optima D31M, JDM condensor fan, JDM fog lights, Rear bumper with tire and fuel carriers, snorkel "Today is yesterday's tomorrow"

04-03-08, 03:37 PM	#5
mep1811 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: El Paso, Texas TLCA# 8009 Posts: 377	close to em I think I drove past that place on one of my many trips across Texas. Bring air to fill up the tires and see if you can wrangle a spare wheel. __________________ Mike El Paso, TLCA 8009 1985 FJ-60, OME HD, Rare STOUT bumpers,sliders,roof rack, 40 gallon tank and M-416 trailer. 1977 FJ-40, BDS. Metal Tech, lock rite 2005 Ural Gear Up http://community.webshots.com/user/mep1811

04-03-08, 03:47 PM	#6
KOWBOY Unwise One Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Elwood, TX TLCA# 1133 Posts: 3,102	Take a car trailer a load 'em all up if the price is right. Sell off two of 'em at a profit to help pay for yours. __________________ I'm the President of The White Trash of the Elwood Chapter and Proprietor of The 3X's Ranch and Retirement Home .... and you ain't. ......

04-03-08, 06:35 PM	#8
wearsabrowncoat IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Minot North Dakota Posts: 235	Tires should be fine as long as they hold air, I would be worried about the wheel bearings and axle needing service. The trailer is not heavy so you should be able to flip it up on end to get a good look at them. Probably should bring some grease. Make sure you have a complete front foot assembly. It should swing freely and lock horizontally and vertically. Make sure the hand brake engages and releases. The tubs are not very thick so find one that isn't too beat up and doesn't have much rust. Check all mods carefully (lighting, lunnette to tow ball, lift gate). I'm not opposed to them but they need to be done right to maintain the intergrity. That's all I can think of. __________________ 96 LX450 Locked, 285/75/16 BFG A/T, ARB, Warn 9000i, CDL+7 Pin, Dual battery trays w/ Slee style battery isolator, Auto up window, Landtank MAF & seat rails, LR cup holder, George's LEDs, Slee light harness, Deere bulbs, Clearshield headlight film, Slee style aux fuse box, Maglite holder.

04-02-08, 09:34 PM	#2
third coast cruisers IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 807	do tell of the location. i am in need of a trailer as well and that is not to far from me.

04-02-08, 10:47 PM	#3
airlaird IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 1,145	Well, let me hear from the guy first. I'll keep this location close to me for now...too many Texas foks on this list ;-)) Apparently, he only goes to his shop on Saturday's...so I'll see if he calls. airlaird

04-03-08, 04:42 PM	#7
airlaird IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 1,145	I'm way ahead of ya Kowboy ;-))) Steve

04-04-08, 04:18 PM	#9
airlaird IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 1,145	Great advice...thanks. I'll do just that.....if he calls me this weekend.;-) airlaird

04-07-08, 05:18 PM	#10
airlaird IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 1,145	No luck Well, I drove out there again (about 60 miles) and found my last message I left him taped to his gate....had been torn off. I found it on the ground. Apparently he is an eccentric guy. he has no phone number and his shop is so rural...there's no way to call him. But, my investigative skills came through and I tracked him down ;-))). I will be calling him tomorrow. With any luck, he'll agree to sell me an M416. I sure hope so...he has MANY MORE SCATTERED ON HIS LAND...I have seen about 5 so far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! airlaird

04-07-08, 05:50 PM	#13
airlaird IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 1,145	Believe me....I have already thought of that....that's why a phone call is first ;-) airlaird

04-08-08, 12:29 PM	#14
kcsmithson IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dallas, TX TLCA# 11221 Posts: 207	I am pretty sure I know where they are. As many times as I have been by there. Not much changes. He doesn't strike me as the sort that sells a lot after it arrives. Good Luck. __________________ Not everybody likes us, But we drive some folks wild!!! www.lslc.org 1988 FJ62

04-09-08, 10:23 AM	#15
evldave IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 8	You might try finding something to trade. Eccentric collectors like that aren't in it for the money, they are in it for the stuff - if you've got something interesting to trade, and you approach it from a 'I've got something you might like' rather than 'I want to take something you've spent time collecting' you might be able to talk him into swapping you for a trailer or two.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode