Bantam 416 Build (1 Viewer)

[Dustin Messina]

So, I got infatuated with the idea of the 416 awhile back. I looked and looked for one with no luck. Well, while cruising Facebook one day I say some one bragging about there recent acquisition. I messaged them and asked if it was for sale...well for the right price it was and I bought a trailer. My plan was to make an over landing trailer.

 

[Dustin Messina]

First step was to get the rigged tongue sorted out. So, I hauled it over to a local metal company to get it extended. It’s 64” from the bed to to the bulldog ball.

 

[Dustin Messina]

While it was st the welders I decided to grab some new cj3 springs, new 416 shocks, real rear shackles, and some 416 safety chains. This is where the trailer sits...on eBay I started on everything the rear passenger side shackle would not budge. I tried everything I knew to make it move...yes it’s reverse thread still nothing. So the trailer sat while I worked on some truck builds. It actually sat for over a year until recently. I hit the rear shackle with Kroil Oil and a torch..over and over. It finally came free. I was back in business!!

 

[Dustin Messina]

Removed original parking brake soaked it in evaporust, added some new bearings, seals, and got some paint on the hub.

 

[Dustin Messina]

As my trailer is a Bantam it has a factory cut tailgate. Several years of junky hinges cluttered the bottom. I took the time to cut and grind most of these out. I also find some LED brake lights that almost fell right into factory holes. I’m no welder but burned in some new hinges, added my lights and reflectors back.

 

[Dustin Messina]

Next up was getting the RTT rack installed and test fitted I picked up from @wngrog. I was able to get it mounted up holes drilled. I then pulled it back off and threw some Herculiner on it! On the docket today are stabilizing jacks front and rear reinstall the roof rack.

My plan is to rob some stuff from @USMC22 and @under_psi Lou has the spare tire mount fingered out and Jerry has the solution for mounting the beast of the skykamper to this thing! More to come.

 

[wngrog]

Nice!

 

[Dustin Messina]

The Herculiner cured nicely over night! I reinstalled the rack made some touch ups to the liner and then broke out the welder so I could attempt to poorly burn on some jacks.

 

[Dustin Messina]

I broke out the jack stands and got to work. I went with the Bal C Jack 25” and snagged them off of amazon. When looking at it I decided to drill and bolt the putter holes because I can’t weld..... I then welded the inside for support. Paint over my messy welds.

 

[wngrog]

You are a good “wender ”

 

[Dustin Messina]

The final product! Installed the jack feet, my propane bottle setup, and some knock off Maxx tracks I have. It came out great and four jacks is the way to go. This thing is sturdy!!

 

[wngrog]

Why does it have square fenders if it’s a Bantam?

 

[Dustin Messina]

Why does it have square fenders if it’s a Bantam?

I found the model early on when I bought it, but what I gathered is it’s a later bantam and a different model then the round fender bantam. I’m no expert, but it’s a factory cut tailgate and no military markings to be found.

 

[77TLCFJ40]

Nice work! Really like the stabilizer jacks.

Check the driver side front spring mount. Looks like it is pulling off the frame in the bottom pic of post #4.

 

[Dustin Messina]

Nice work! Really like the stabilizer jacks.

Check the driver side front spring mount. Looks like it is pulling off the frame in the bottom pic of post #4.
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Thanks! It def took a hit in its life before. I may get some weld on it, but currently bolted up like a champ. These spring hangers have bolts running through the frame as well. Should be stable, but when it goes to the operating room with @under_psi I'll get him to take a look!

Can't wait to grab that box from you for the front as well!

 

[Dustin Messina]

Didn’t work on the trailer much this weekend, but added a rotopax mount. More streamlined than primal jerry cans and easier to use.

 

[Dustin Messina]

Haven’t updated in awhile but added a spare tire carrier. This is @under_psi creation and weld job!

 

[Dustin Messina]

A few poser shots.... I guess I should add that Lou burned on a bull dog jack for me as well so no more landing leg. Then I added 235/85 KO2s which gave it a great stance.

 

[Dustin Messina]

a few more

 

[Dustin Messina]

Forgot to update, but I picked up a set of the rotopax tracks and then got their mount to replace my current Trax. I realized I could run 4 gallon can behind them. Mounted up well.