Well after years of drooling over the builds of others I finally found the right project for myself. And as luck would have it the seller had two of them so I told my brother and we bought them. I ran up to Mount Rainier (at least almost all the way there) and picked them up. Since my brother already had a commitment the night I found them for sale I went and picked them both up.
Driving home with them stacked was fun because the springs and shocks are so old they would sway for a really long time after each turn. But we made it home safely.
My only hesitation with starting a build thread is the commitment. But I am so thankful for all of the other threads that have given me ideas that I figured I kind of owed it back to the community of trailer lovers.
Ok. For those who are wondering this trailer is going to be a pretty simple gear hauler.
Phase 1 is Frame work.
A. I am going to extend out the tongue possibly using a system that allows the tongue to be extended off road and pushed back in for highways speeds. Possibly by just extending it permanently.
B. I might be putting on a bumper with a swing away tire carrier for my spare. I don't like the idea of something permanent up front because I have other plans there, and I don't want to commit to putting it underneath because I want to keep my clearance open.
C. I need to purchase a new axle, springs and possibly shocks. New rims and tires. Probably keep this part simple. My current intentions are to install it axle under at this point.
D. Possibly create a spot for a propane tank and lock box on the tongue. The lock box will be used for future mods and just secure storage.
E. I am going to put Jerry cans in front of the fenders but I think this will be part of Phase 3 after all tub work is done.
F. I think I am going to have to replace that front brace on the Frame that holds the tub down. It is pretty rusted and if I am already going to have it taken apart I might as well put something on there that does not have serious corrosion issues.
G. I am going to have the end color of the frame be black but might hold off on doing anything until the tub is ready.
Phase 2 is Tub work.
A. I have some serious rust issues here. At the front of the tub there is basically no metal connecting the floor to the front edge. I have thought about buying a stamped tub base and front but don't think I will get the value out of it since I am not doing an official restore. Instead I am going to put down something flat, possibly diamond plated if I can get the right deal.
B. The front panel has serious problems about 1/4th of the way up. My current intentions are to just replace the entire front. The only thing I want to keep on that are the tie down points. I am not to concerned with keeping the stamped appearance.
C. As you can see my trailer has to real side; I need to create and build a back gate. I thought about sealing it off and making the tub amphibious but my wife is not to happy about having to lift all of the camping gear out of the tub. Especially if it is lifted off the ground with an axle under setup. So I am going to end up putting the gate on. I am thinking at this point the gate will fold down while the tire carrier will swing to the side. I might be creating to much work here with both of these systems but if nothing else it should be fun.
D. The stock M100 comes with round fenders. These are actually in suprisingly good shape; however I prefer the look of the M416 fenders and so I am going to scrap mine (PM me if you want them) and build new ones. I figured while I was at this I am going to build my Jerry can holders and possibly (still undecided) build extensions taking the fenders all the way to the rear of the trailer. This will make it look similar to a Sierra 4X4 trailer with their Nerfbars; the only difference being mine are not going to be built with round tubing.
E. The stock M100 (at least mine) does not come with tabs to bolt the tub down. It is welded all around with points about 8 inches apart. I am going to cut those off and build some tabs to make the tub removable. I really have no reason for this but thought that later on it would be cool if I built a flatbed and other accessories for the frame to be even more multi-purpose.
F. After the frame and tub are done I am going to take it in to get blasted. I am not sure yet if I am going to powder coat or use a cheaper system. The trailer is going to be stored outside in my side yard and I want to do whatever is going to protect it the longest...oh and that I can afford.
G. I am probably going to paint the tub OD Green because my Land Rover is green and together I think they would look great.
Phase 3 is a Top.
My ideas here at not as defined, but I have a few rattling around in my head. I am thinking about using aluminum here but not set on anything really.
A. My preference is to build a top that mirrors the upper shape of the tub in reverse. Many builders have done this and it looks the best in my opinion.
B. I am thinking I will need to put in some gas struts because I was intending on building a simple bike rack on the top of...the top. I have a few clients who own Bike shops and can get some fork mounts and tie down systems for pretty cheap from their vendors.
C. Paint to match the tub.
Well those are my plans. I hope to have the tub back on the frame and rolling at least by the end of May. That is our first trip this year that requires some serious camping gear.
I hope to keep the thread pick heavy but if there is anything you folks would like to see that I forgot to capture let me know.
Last weekend we broke down the axle, tires and got one fender off before the darkness took over. I am going to try to finish taking it apart this week and hopefully start on metal work on the frame before April.
Alright wish me luck.
Driving home with them stacked was fun because the springs and shocks are so old they would sway for a really long time after each turn. But we made it home safely.
My only hesitation with starting a build thread is the commitment. But I am so thankful for all of the other threads that have given me ideas that I figured I kind of owed it back to the community of trailer lovers.
Ok. For those who are wondering this trailer is going to be a pretty simple gear hauler.
Phase 1 is Frame work.
A. I am going to extend out the tongue possibly using a system that allows the tongue to be extended off road and pushed back in for highways speeds. Possibly by just extending it permanently.
B. I might be putting on a bumper with a swing away tire carrier for my spare. I don't like the idea of something permanent up front because I have other plans there, and I don't want to commit to putting it underneath because I want to keep my clearance open.
C. I need to purchase a new axle, springs and possibly shocks. New rims and tires. Probably keep this part simple. My current intentions are to install it axle under at this point.
D. Possibly create a spot for a propane tank and lock box on the tongue. The lock box will be used for future mods and just secure storage.
E. I am going to put Jerry cans in front of the fenders but I think this will be part of Phase 3 after all tub work is done.
F. I think I am going to have to replace that front brace on the Frame that holds the tub down. It is pretty rusted and if I am already going to have it taken apart I might as well put something on there that does not have serious corrosion issues.
G. I am going to have the end color of the frame be black but might hold off on doing anything until the tub is ready.
Phase 2 is Tub work.
A. I have some serious rust issues here. At the front of the tub there is basically no metal connecting the floor to the front edge. I have thought about buying a stamped tub base and front but don't think I will get the value out of it since I am not doing an official restore. Instead I am going to put down something flat, possibly diamond plated if I can get the right deal.
B. The front panel has serious problems about 1/4th of the way up. My current intentions are to just replace the entire front. The only thing I want to keep on that are the tie down points. I am not to concerned with keeping the stamped appearance.
C. As you can see my trailer has to real side; I need to create and build a back gate. I thought about sealing it off and making the tub amphibious but my wife is not to happy about having to lift all of the camping gear out of the tub. Especially if it is lifted off the ground with an axle under setup. So I am going to end up putting the gate on. I am thinking at this point the gate will fold down while the tire carrier will swing to the side. I might be creating to much work here with both of these systems but if nothing else it should be fun.
D. The stock M100 comes with round fenders. These are actually in suprisingly good shape; however I prefer the look of the M416 fenders and so I am going to scrap mine (PM me if you want them) and build new ones. I figured while I was at this I am going to build my Jerry can holders and possibly (still undecided) build extensions taking the fenders all the way to the rear of the trailer. This will make it look similar to a Sierra 4X4 trailer with their Nerfbars; the only difference being mine are not going to be built with round tubing.
E. The stock M100 (at least mine) does not come with tabs to bolt the tub down. It is welded all around with points about 8 inches apart. I am going to cut those off and build some tabs to make the tub removable. I really have no reason for this but thought that later on it would be cool if I built a flatbed and other accessories for the frame to be even more multi-purpose.
F. After the frame and tub are done I am going to take it in to get blasted. I am not sure yet if I am going to powder coat or use a cheaper system. The trailer is going to be stored outside in my side yard and I want to do whatever is going to protect it the longest...oh and that I can afford.
G. I am probably going to paint the tub OD Green because my Land Rover is green and together I think they would look great.
Phase 3 is a Top.
My ideas here at not as defined, but I have a few rattling around in my head. I am thinking about using aluminum here but not set on anything really.
A. My preference is to build a top that mirrors the upper shape of the tub in reverse. Many builders have done this and it looks the best in my opinion.
B. I am thinking I will need to put in some gas struts because I was intending on building a simple bike rack on the top of...the top. I have a few clients who own Bike shops and can get some fork mounts and tie down systems for pretty cheap from their vendors.
C. Paint to match the tub.
Well those are my plans. I hope to have the tub back on the frame and rolling at least by the end of May. That is our first trip this year that requires some serious camping gear.
I hope to keep the thread pick heavy but if there is anything you folks would like to see that I forgot to capture let me know.
Last weekend we broke down the axle, tires and got one fender off before the darkness took over. I am going to try to finish taking it apart this week and hopefully start on metal work on the frame before April.
Alright wish me luck.
