Rust Bucket M416 build

[StewKnob]

I bought this M416 for $50, it is a complete rust bucket the tub floor and most of the sides are completely gone. The drivers side parking break was frozen and hanging up, and somebody had removed the lunette and welded on a piece of pipe for a hitch. But my plans for it is to make a trailer for hauling my kayak gear to the beach, not really any extreme off roading this seemed doable, and to do it on a fairly tight budget. Also I have never welded a thing in my life and figured this would be a good project to learn on, so here are some pics of what i pulled to the house, warning may cause tetanus just from looking at it

 

[titanpat57]

Looks like you'll be busy, but there's a ton of great info here on all things 416 if you need it.

Welcome to Mud and good luck with your project


Pat

 

[StewKnob]

here is a few more photos

 

[StewKnob]

I got started with the tear down by getting the parking brake unstuck and replacing the bearings

 

[StewKnob]

next came taking what was left of the tub off to see what i was actually working with

the tub is almost a complete loss

but the frame other than the last cross member seems solid

so after what seemed like forever grinding and sanding and wire brushing i got the frame cleaned up

 

[StewKnob]

next came replacing the rear cross member so i got it cut out

and now came the scary part welding something back in, i spent the better part of the morning welding up scrap in the yard until i felt comfortable enough to give it a try

i think it came out pretty good

i wanted to add a rear receiver for a cargo basket for coolers and such for camping trips so

 

[StewKnob]

although the tub was a loss i wanted to save the top section with the tie downs, i thought it looked cool and would be functional

so i cut off the top

leaving this pile of junk

next i changed the shocks and bushings and fittings

then i cleaned up the top section

 

[StewKnob]

again being on a tight budget for this build i decided to try an use some old steel i had first came the floor

next the walls this was the most welding i had ever done, but i am fairly happy with the results

i built everything out of 1/8 inch steel ( because it is what i had ) i put 1 inch square tubing around the top of the walls and 2 inch angle to attach the walls to the floor, i had to make the sides in several pieces to make the metal i had work out

 

[StewKnob]

i found three used tires and rims on CL for practically nothing, they are in much better condition than the ones i had

next i started the job of attaching the old top to the new walls

and building a new front piece it still needs to be trimmed across the top

then came adding a tongue, i needed it longer so it could haul the kayaks ( the are between 12 and 15 foot )

and that is about where i am for now, next comes remounting the fenders and constructing some kind of racks for the kayaks and a tailgate, lights and safety chains

 

[StewKnob]

Looks like you'll be busy, but there's a ton of great info here on all things 416 if you need it.

Welcome to Mud and good luck with your project


Pat

thank you, i have been lurking for a while and have learned alot

 

[Paparooster67]

Wow that was a rust bucket . You are doing a great rebulid on that old trailer . Good to see it being rebuilt back to life . Doing a good job welding for the 1st timer .

 

[greentruck]

Heck yeah. Good job. I'm not a welder, either, but I'm impressed with your work. Gives me confidence when the money and time are right to do it, I'll be able to pick up on it without too much drama.

Glad to see the old drawbar go. That thing they welded up before you got it looked scary to me.

 

[StewKnob]

Wow that was a rust bucket . You are doing a great rebulid on that old trailer . Good to see it being rebuilt back to life . Doing a good job welding for the 1st timer .

Heck yeah. Good job. I'm not a welder, either, but I'm impressed with your work. Gives me confidence when the money and time are right to do it, I'll be able to pick up on it without too much drama.

Glad to see the old drawbar go. That thing they welded up before you got it looked scary to me.

thanks, yeah it was a definite rust bucket, my friend in the first pic could not quit shaking his head when i draggrd it up in the yard, my welding is nowhere near as good as the people i have seen on here can do, but it is serviceable, the welds have been a little ugly at times, but nothing a little grinding couldn't fix

yeah the drawbar was scary, and in all honesty i would of liked to start with a little better platform, it would of saved a lot of work, but for 50 bucks i thought i would give it a try

 

[SWITAWI]

You sir, are the most inexperienced ringer I have ever seen, lol.

Nice work!

 

[StewKnob]

well i got some more done over the last few days, trying to get it ready for a trip down to the Indian river lagoon.

I got some paint on the trailer and mounted the kayak racks

i got all the joints bolted up



still left to do is build tailgate and get the bed liner put in, I am thinking about using Herculiner and doing it myself, and i am not really happy with the safety chain setup, also i need to mount the spare tire, have not decided if i am going to mount it to the front of the trailer or underneath with a donor cable hoist from an old chevy i have, thanks for all the kind words

 

[toy4xfun]

check this stuff out before making your decision on the Herculiner, i used Herculiner on the inside of my 4runner, and it has gotten hard, and is peeling up in a few spots.

any how check this stuff out...
Cote-L Distribution Company

you can also pic different colors!

 

[StewKnob]

check this stuff out before making your decision on the Herculiner, i used Herculiner on the inside of my 4runner, and it has gotten hard, and is peeling up in a few spots.

any how check this stuff out...
Cote-L Distribution Company

you can also pic different colors!

thank you for pointing this stuff out, it looks really good, I especially like that it has an option for UV protection built in, JUst placed my order

 

[toy4xfun]

when i redo my truck i am going to use it!

oh and your welcome!

 

[Paparooster67]

Wow ! That trailer looks way way different now than that old rust bucket you had .. nice job .

 

[srogers]

Looks fantastic! Nice job...