The continuing saga of M100 Trailer #2...

[Brian in Oregon]

This is the M100 military jeep trailer I swapped for a few months ago. It's been rode hard and put up wet. Fortunately it has no serious rust or major damage, which is the most important part. I saw the pics prior to the swap and despite setbacks am still quite pleased with it. I knew it had sheared wheel studs, missing spring leafs, and other problems. Even so it has potential.

Finally had some free time to start getting it into rolling shape. Whomever my buddy got it from, or whomever that person got it from, didn't know much about fixing trailers. Aside from running it with loose lug nuts resulting in wearing out and then breakage of all the wheel studs on one side, the hub bearing nuts were beat to hell with the use of a chisel.

The other side appeared to be better. At least the nuts weren't beat up. But it was pumped full of grease (thanks to the addition of zerk fittings on the hub covers) until the brake drum was filled too. Took me all week to clean that mess up.

But something disturbing cropped up. One of the bearings had the backside of its race galled, as well as the inside where it mates to the spindle. Obviously the bearing race was spinning. And it damaged the spindle surface. There is a clearly worn area on the lower side of the spindle. Since I'm going to flip the axle to do a spring-over, that would not be a concern, but, there is nothing at this point to effectively stop the race from spinning. Anything like knurling the spindle will only temporarily put off the problem. It's possible to plasma spray it and machine it, but that's spendy.

Worse, after checking closer, I noticed that the spindle is also bent. This trailer really got beat by someone.

The spindle is similar in design to the Ford GPW and the Willys MB, CJ2A and M38. Except they have a built in brake backing plate flange. This one is welded or possibly bolted to the main axle tube. (There's a cup pressed into the end of the spindle. I have not removed it yet.) But there are no replacement M100 trailer spindles that I've been able to find. The military manual does not show them as a separate part.

It might be possible to use an MB/GPW/CJ2A/M38 spindle and bolt them together along with the backing plate. It's not a direct bolt on, there would be some work required to prep the ends after cutting off or removing the existing spindles. Problem is there doesn't appear to be any replacement spindles for early Jeeps. Some used ones are available, but who knows how good they are?

So, I'm going to have to either try to find another M100 axle, or install an aftermarket axle. I'd rather not lose the manual parking brake, but the aftermarket axles appear to be mainly electric, or in some cases, hydraulic. Not sure what kind of aftermarket axle I want if I do go that route.

 

[LCDiesel60]

So Brian, what are your plans? Small trailer for off-road and the larger one is for yard hauling or..?

I have a M101A2 with sides/tarp similar to your larger trailer that I will be using for both with the HJ60..not much modification to the trailer--don't have the time or skill as so many have done with their amazing projects...fun to see their work.

Looks like you will be having fun for a bit--!!
LCDiesel60
Oregon

 

[Brian in Oregon]

The larger M101 is not mine. The photo was taken by my friend who traded me for the smaller M100.

This is my first M100. We use it for camping. Right now a large pickup truck diamondplate chest is bolted in, to secure camping items. I want to make a hinged lid for it at some point. Not sure exactly how I want to set it up. Been collecting jerry can brackets and other parts for it. Also need to make a spare tire mount underneath.

And this is a civilian Bantam post-war trailer. It's made up from two beater trailers. I was using it as a light weight utility trailer. The second M100 will eventually fill that role, since someone cut a tailgate into it. My son Sean has dibs on this trailer.

For heavier loads I have a trailer made from an early 70's Ford pickup. It's a real beater. Been wanting to replace it with a large M101, but nothing has turned up yet.

 

[greentruck]

You can get the 3500 lb Dexter axle set-up with electric and parking brakes for around $300 or less. To me, it's not worth the trouble to fix what's on it, unless you're the hard-core restoration type. Go new, makes things less aggravating.

This is the set-up I'd eventually like to put under our M101 CDN. Fully loaded, it could use the electric brakes and I don't want to give up the parking brake if I do that.