M416 Tailgate

[Officer Friendly]

I recently came accross a M416 in minty shape that I would like to convert to a Tent trailer. The questions I pose to ya'll is should I put in a tail gate or leave it stock? Regaurdless I am putting a hindged lid on it, Also if anyone has a line on a new Lunette assembly or a better cuppling devise I am all ears.
No pics as of yet, I try to post some as soon as I can.



I may also have a line on a Bantam civilian if anyone is interested I am out side of austin. I am not sure if the guy is ready to sell yet but it never hurts to ask.

 

[REZARF]

I would say it is yours so modify it. To the military purists a tailgate is a bad thing, however, for most anyone using one of these a tailgate is a real plus.

If I see one for sale again, I wouldn't hesitate to mod a tailgate into it. If you drill any holes for your hinged lid, you will be "devaluing" it anyhow.

I say go for it... but give us a few pics of the process.

Rezarf <><

 

[brownbear]

I cut a tailgate into my M101 Cnd. Yah I know it weakens it on the sides. So I do need to figure out a way to beef it up. Probably going to have some angle iron inside. For a hinge I used gate hinges from a hardware store.

I need to find some latches tho next. Think I might use some rubber ones like on the cowl of a big rig, Sorry I don't have any pictures yet. But I will do a write up later.

 

[wussyPup]

Also if anyone has a line on a new Lunette assembly or a better cuppling devise I am all ears.

These were mentioned on the M101CDN yahoo group:
http://www.locknroll.com/

No personal experience with them, but they look interesting.

-Steve

 

[brownbear]

Pintle/lunettes are hard to back up. Lots of slop. But not too bad once you get used to them. No where near the ease of a ball.

Also lunettes are way easier to put on and remove. My ole ball ones always jam and become difficult.

 

[rutbeer]

I cut a tailgate into my M101 Cnd. Yah I know it weakens it on the sides. So I do need to figure out a way to beef it up. Probably going to have some angle iron inside. For a hinge I used gate hinges from a hardware store.

Yes, but aren't all of the CDN M101's reinforced heavily in that area because of the grab loops? I know mine has some heavy triangles on the sides. In fact, the handles actually force me to cut the tailgate narrower than I had planned on, which will leave some "beef" on the sides and an easy area to weld a C-channel in. I'm wanting to basically duplicate the gate on my FJ45, but it will just have to be narrower.

 

[Snook]

Here are the photos of my modified M416 with beefed up sides. I did all the cutting and welding.

The beefed up sides stand up well not only for off roading trip such as Death Valley but also for dumping contruction materials from my remodeling projects.

Cheers,

 

[REZARF]

I like your latch design a lot, very simple and functional.

How did you "load" your latch? I can guess you used some type of plug to rest the spring on, then you loaded your "bolt" into that, I was wondering how you got the little pull/slide handle into place? Did you tap the rod or weld it into place.

I like that design a lot. Thanks for sharing!

Rezarf <><

 

[Snook]

I like your latch design a lot, very simple and functional.

How did you "load" your latch? I can guess you used some type of plug to rest the spring on, then you loaded your "bolt" into that, I was wondering how you got the little pull/slide handle into place? Did you tap the rod or weld it into place.

I like that design a lot. Thanks for sharing!

Rezarf <><

I used handle (green) to keep the solid tubes (red) in place. I just throw in 8 inches long very light spring inside the blue tube that runs around the tub.

The handle itself is compressable, a tube with open slot on one side. I just hammer it in, about 1/4" deep.

Cheers,

 

[REZARF]

Very cool, I can see what you mean now.

I like that design a lot. Do you get a lot of rattling with it? I would guess spring rate would make a difference there.

Thanks-

Rezarf <><

 

[Officer Friendly]

Thanks yall have been a wealth of information, Snook I would have never thought if trying that in a million years.

 

[sblackb]

More Tailgates

I did this on mine. The sides will flop all over the place so you will need to add extra steel. I was thinking about doing the snook latch, but went an easier route.

Might have something useful to you on my write up. Email me if you need details:

http://www.blackburnimagery.com/Trailer_cost.html

Scott