my trailer build

[November Ghost]

I have a September 1943 built Willys MBT trailer I am in the process of breaking down, cleaning, painting, etc. into an off road/camping trailer. I just discovered this forum with trailer build ideas and advice so I hope to be a regular here as I build mine.

I happen to be a jeep guy, owning several lifted Cherokees, plus a 1944 Willys MB.

Hopefully my build will go smoothly and not cost an arm and a leg!

 

[November Ghost]

I bought and tore down this trailer over two years ago and just now getting the time to get at it. Made a lot of progress yesterday I feel. I have tossed many ideas around in my head as to what direction to go and but seeing what some of you have done, my ideas keep changing! As of right now I just want to get the trailer back on the road so I can haul it to a body shop. One of the sides is crushed and I do not have the fab skill to fix it myself, but I have a guy I know who owns a high end body shop and also is a vintage Jeep guy too, so maybe he can get her straight!

 

[November Ghost]

here are pics of the day I bought it and beginning of the tear down.

 

[November Ghost]

more

 

[Josh N]

I hope you got that for free. Repairing that body is gonna cost more than just getting a new trailer fabbed up.

 

[November Ghost]

close to free .... i've seen guys with worse off trailers and jeeps come out looking fine ... i dont need it to be 100 per cent dent free or straight. the frame is solid and straight, ... besides, if it ends up going to be too costly I can part it out to the ww2 collectors and triple my money as to what I have into it ... how many MBTs are still around to snag up anyways?

 

[November Ghost]

i made some progress over the last week ... i'm happy at the pace i'm headed and the amount I've spent. most of the bottom is sanded and painted. Axle, leaf springs and mounts painted and installed. I now am needing tires so I can get the thing rolling! I have had a lot of jeep guys and other restorers look at my trailer and said that a frame straightener at a body shop should be able to make quick work of the 'taco'd' side of the trailer. After I get it rolling I'm taking it to a few shops in town to get their idea!

 

[November Ghost]

worked on the lunette today .... looking better than before!

 

[November Ghost]

Now I'm almost ready to tow it to body shop. Got tires now and about to finish up the drawbar and lunette. I'm happy at the rate and outcome so far.

 

[November Ghost]

I have it towable now! It tows great. Other than the ride height which I can't do anything about really it look good. Now after it gets to body shop to see if they can straighten her out!

 

[November Ghost]

Body shop says it's totally fixable with little work. The man I spoke with said it'd take about three hours and run about 250$. He said he'd charge less if I helped with the prep work and clean up. I said lets do it after New Years because I need to raise the money. Off to scrap!!

 

[Brentbba]

Another good trailer section is over on Expedition Portal. Look forward to your progress pictures as you build this up!

 

[November Ghost]

Thanks !!! I'm am very happy so far. Here's a recent picture of the lunette.

 

[Brentbba]

Cleaned up nicely. Now, unless you really want a stock look and love rattling from that, you may want to consider a Lock N Roll or Max Coupler hitch. I've got the former and love it.

 

[November Ghost]

I plan on keeping my MBT as stock as possible as these parts are hard to get and worth a lot. I don't mind the noise and I think it looks cool!