My new (to me) M416 1/4 Ton Trailer

[AustinCruiser]

Well, it's home now ...

I finally got my trailer out of the farmer's field and towed it home. Every zerk fitting must be bone dry - you should have heard the squeeks and groans from the suspension!

My wife says she likes the trailer, so we're going to use it tomorrow to haul our bicycles to a park for a family outing.

I'll be cutting the partitions out of the bed today. Here are some pics ...

 

[AustinCruiser]

Here's what the bottom looks like. There is some heavy black rust proofing under the bed and surface rust on the axle, etc. I expect that it will all clean up nicely. The drain plugs are complete and still functional as well.

 

[AustinCruiser]

I've started on the rust removal and priming work. This is going to be a long road ...

 

[AustinCruiser]

Latest Parts Acquisition: New Chains

After a long search and a couple of failed flea-bay bids, I found a good deal on new old stock (NOS) M416 chains. They arrived today via UPS and I can't wait to paint them and get them mounted. If you need some, try this place - they have the best price on NOS chains, only $19.95!!!! 1/4 ton Jeep Trailer Safety chains - Army Surplus Warehouse - Army Surplus Warehouse

Here are a couple of pics of my new chains:

 

[AustinCruiser]

Restoration update

Well, here are a couple of more photos of my slow-motion restoration. The first shots show the dividers that Travis County Fire welded in. They were very difficult to remove. At first I tried to attack the welds with a cut-off disk, but it didn't work. Then I broke out the oxy-fuel. I used a washing tip to keep the flame away from the bed and only on the dividers. Everything worked out well.

The last pic shows the condition of the frame. It is in excellent condition with very minor surface rust.

 

[AustinCruiser]

More pics ...

I plan to wire wheel the frame and give it a few coats of semi-gloss black rustoleum. I considered bedliner, but given that it has aged this well, paint is fine. Most of the gunk visible in the pictures is oxidized paint.

 

[AustinCruiser]

And here's the tub ...

I've already sanded all of the rust and flaking paint off of the tub. The tub has a couple of coats of primer on it now. I've been sanding between coats and the results have been encouraging. I tested some rattle can "merlot" colored paint on the front of the trailer. This went on pretty well without any runs and the color is just a bit darker than my maroon truck. I may go to vato-zone and buy some Toyota color matched paint, but it depends on the $$$.

What do y'all think of the color?

 

[AustinCruiser]

The bottom looks like this

I think that the drain plugs will be the hardest thing to restore on the bottom. There is a good layer of undercoating on the bottom and it wire brushed right off. I haven't decided whether I'll bedline the bottom yet. The inside of the tub will get it for sure though.

 

[Black Op]

Nice find! Good luck its looking good so far.

 

[davegonz]

Looks good, Ed!

 

[AustinCruiser]

Well, I'm Pretty Much Done ...

I've put my trailer back together and she's lookin' good. I still need to do a few minor things (bolt on the landing leg, re-install the lights and reflectors, an reinstall one fender, and source and install a new brake cable.)

Here's what I've done:
Painted & primed frame and tub (after lots of wire wheeling and sandpapering)
Bed lined tub and rub rail
Bed lined fenders
LED lights
New Lunette casting
New Landing Leg casting
New Lunette
New tires
Painted wheels
Repacked bearings
Inspected brake linings and drums (all OK despite being 45 years old!)
Blasted and restored drain plugs
Blasted and restored reflector brackets
New stainless hardware throughout
New Monroe shocks
New Grade 8 hardware on hitch assembly
New cotter pins throughout
And lots more that I'm forgetting at the moment

It feels like the 235/85r16 tires are too big. What do 'yall think?

Here are the pics ... and yes, I know the landing leg is backwards in two of the pics. It hasn't been bolted on yet though.

 

[rubberduck]

That looks good Ed. When should I bring mine down?

 

[AustinCruiser]

That looks good Ed. When should I bring mine down?

Bring it on down any time Jeremy.

 

[swampman]

nice job.. very nice

 

[davegonz]

Ed, are you going to eventually lengthen the tongue? Those little trailers can be a b*tch to back up with it jackknifing on you and smashing into your trucks sheet metal.

 

[AustinCruiser]

Ed, are you going to eventually lengthen the tongue? Those little trailers can be a b*tch to back up with it jackknifing on you and smashing into your trucks sheet metal.

I've thought about it, but will hold off until I get more experience with this trailer. It is a bear to back up, especially since you can't see it in your mirrors.

If I do lengthen the tongue, I'll bend up sheet metal framing members like the originals. I'd also maintain use of the original lunette.

 

[AustinCruiser]

The Mule with Lando

Just thought that I'd show you guys how the 416 looks with my cruiser. The Rustoleum "merlot" looks good, but it isn't a perfect match. It was cheap though

Thanks to everyone who helped me out with the build.

Ed - AustinCruiser

 

[ATXLandCrusher]

Very nice looking trailer & I love the history of it. I'll have to check around and see if I can find one for my FJ40. I have a connection at AFD.

 

[AustinCruiser]

Try Travis County ESD as well. I know that the forest service gave them a bunch of 416s. Who knows, they may still have some laying around.

If you really want one badly, there is a guy in Liberty Hill with two of them. They've been blasted and painted already. He got them from UT and wants around $1000 each (too high in my opinion).

 

[ATXLandCrusher]

Try Travis County ESD as well. I know that the forest service gave them a bunch of 416s. Who knows, they may still have some laying around.

If you really want one badly, there is a guy in Liberty Hill with two of them. They've been blasted and painted already. He got them from UT and wants around $1000 each (too high in my opinion).

Thank you but I worked a deal with a MUD member to buy his tub, so I will be using my old tub to make a trailer.