M416 Build (was "Starting from Scratch - Recommendations?")

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ntsqd said:
Keep in mind that AT has to keep production moving. So they really don't want to let something cool and then check/straighten it between each weld as that would drive costs way up. This will have an affect on warping the trailing arms during fabrication. By how much I do not know since I haven't been there.

I have some concerns over going too soft. Rider comfort isn't a concern (is it???), so a super soft and slinky suspension for a trailer isn't the order of the day. Soft enough to not shake up the beer or break the eggs is good enough.
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That was really my thinking also. It would not be as soft as the AT suspension by any means, but it would be independent, so it wouldn't throw the trailer side to side over every rock. My trailer is probably heavier than a 416 and with the adjustability of the VW spring it could ride ok I think. I want to run 35's on the trailer for spares for the 40 and they have that shock in a 16" version that would probably be perfect for a near vertical shock.
 
OK, here are a couple of shots of my original plate. Mine's a '67 also, same manufacturer, Serial #10909. What's interesting is that the Federal Stock # on both trailers is the same, 2330-706-5495 and both are identified as "Trailer, Cargo, 1/4 Ton, 2W, M416" at the top of the plate. I am now very curious as to what the M614 designation means on your trailer, I did some research and there is no mention of M614 as a military designation. On the "Standard Catalog of US Military Vehicles" they only list the MTB (WWII-era), the M100 (Korean War era) and the M416 as the 1/4 ton trailers used by the US military, with the M416A1 (hydraulic surge-operated brakes) and the M416B1 (Marine Corps version matched to the M422 "Mighty Mite") as variants.

So what is this thing?! :)
M416tag1.JPG
M416tag2.JPG
 
fj40fax said:
That was really my thinking also. It would not be as soft as the AT suspension by any means, but it would be independent, so it wouldn't throw the trailer side to side over every rock. My trailer is probably heavier than a 416 and with the adjustability of the VW spring it could ride ok I think. I want to run 35's on the trailer for spares for the 40 and they have that shock in a 16" version that would probably be perfect for a near vertical shock.
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I think I would want to try those coil-overs in a test first. I'm not so sure that they'll work in this application. Would be great if they did, but I'm hesitant.
 
Well, I just ran down to SLC quickly over the lunch break and bought a 3500lb axle. I do sort of like the OEM look/setup but that is OK. I bought a 6 on 5.5, no brakes (I may possibly retrofit the stock e-brake into it, somehow maybe). It is also extra lube style, so pretty sweet. These have a zirk where you can grease the bearings wihtout taking the hube apart.

The axle was surplus so already made and pretty wide at about 72" I think aka way too wide but already made and on sale. So this basically commits me to the independent arms :). So as a result I stopped at the steel store as well, Wasatch Steel (on 3300S for anyone local) has a sale on some of their surplus so I bought a large assortment of all sorts of stuff I need so it quickly became a somewhat expensive trip. I think it was a good deal but I bought the material for a couple bumpers, some sliders for the 55, and other misc parts.

So I basically bought almost all of the parts to commit to the independent suspension other than a few small parts. Also talked to Martyn and am pretty sold on doing the airbags pretty similar to how the AT setup is as well.

I also bought one more FJ Cruiser wheel that I also scored off a local ebay seller that I've gotten all my others off as well. Not sure if I'll use it for this or not though as I have some more 33 x 10.5 x 15 tires and have plenty of 15" rims lying around of course.. But it is tempting to use the FJ Cruiser wheel as it at least mildly looks like the OEM 1967 wheel that the trailer came with...

Anywhoo :)
hub.JPG
 
Are you going to go with the airbags and separate shock? or the air shock like on the latest generation?
 
I'm pretty sure airbags and the seperate shock. I have some good shocks lying around so I'll probably go this route.

I tore down the trailer to the bare bones last night to get it ready for sand blasting. I'll post up either here or maybe on the Expedition Portal thread.

I'm psyched for it. I also figured out how I'm going to extend the tongue. The tub has a couple little things I need to pull off to get ready for sandblasting. But everything looks pretty good and I'm psyched... :)
 
Where u going to take it for blasting? Do we get a better deal if we take them in together? I have some not so flat sheet steel that i was going to get blasted with the trailer parts, but I don't know if it is worth it.

Fax
 
Dino's in Lindon on Geneva ;) That sounds good to me, they may give us a better rate? I'll call and ask. I have a bunch of other stuff too, they are really reasonable has been my experience and they only have a $30 min if I remember correctly.. :)
 
dieselcruiserhead said:
Dino's in Lindon on Geneva ;) That sounds good to me, they may give us a better rate? I'll call and ask. I have a bunch of other stuff too, they are really reasonable has been my experience and they only have a $30 min if I remember correctly.. :)
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That's 2 min's from my office. I can easily drop stuff off/pick it up if needed.
 
Pics look great! Your trailer is in just about the same condition that mine is in, which is sweet. I like what you're going to do for a tongue extention. Allows minimal modification of the main frame so it can be reverted if need be, but more importantly less fab to do.

How are you going to do the tailgate? Cut right down at the corners, angle it in on the botom, etc....
 
Hey Fax, I dropped off the parts at Dino's last night. If you want you might "be able to get in on it." I told them to max me out at 2 hrs ($92 an hour, ouch)... but then you get around their minimums if your stuff won't take too long... :)
 
But top line says m416,, I had one with the same data plate too.. I'll try to contact the buyer and see if they can scan it for me.. se if its the same manufacturer..
 
I think so, mine also is a Stevens Manufacturing from Pennsylvania and basically reads identical... Seems like the this is the end of the M614 debate I speculate...
 
I would guess the trailer specs were identical and the manufacturer with the government contracts reversed the nomenclature so as to distinguish which military branch the units went to,U.S. Army or U.S. Marine Corps?
 
That way,each entity could add MWOs(modified work orders) to the trailer to meet their specific needs and it would not affect the other entity's trailer??
 
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