Trailer Build Started..... (12 Viewers)

[sseaman]

looks like good progress, Ih8sheetmetal

 

[Degnol]

looks like good progress, Ih8sheetmetal

I'm with you there. 14ga is heavy s***, but I guess I put too much heat in the wrong place. I always pucker when welding sheetmetal....and usually, something bad happens
I think I can suck this down with bolts..........if necessary. Have to keep reminding myself.............."Its only a trailer"

Glad someone else feels my pain

Ed


A few pics of the welds.....

 

[lx450landcruiser]

anyway, the trailers is lookin great !! i have a Q, your not the first ive seen do this, why the 416 style bump out wide on the top trailer box thing?? i never understood that.

Rhino, I suspect the original reason was to aid it's "floatability", but I just like the look

Funny im with the both of you. when im working on my m101 i always thing damn wast of space but i sure like the way it looks

 

[gpwpat]

Yep it helps that last 4" to have an extra bit of boyancy.

This is my trailer at a jeep trailer race held at a military vehicle meet.

 

[REZARF]

Looking great Ed, I can't even see where it is warped. Remember, you will be your own worst critic and see ALL the bad things but no one else will. On my trailer, I have things that I am bummed with (finish wise) and all my friends can't see it, and it seems to GLARE at me. I bet it is hardly noticeable!

Keep it up bud, looks killer!

 

[73fj]

If it's warping turn down the heat, take your time, and stitch weld it. Don't stress, have a beer, 14 Ga doesn't need a whole pile of hot.

 

[Degnol]

Thanks 73fj................now you chime in I wish there was a journeyman sheetmetal guy here locally.

OK, new question......What is the best prep for having it bedlined, like Line-X, Rhinoliner, etc? I know if you take in a new truck they scuff and degrease everything, but what if you were to prep just for that? I usually use 3M MetalPrep and catalized urethane primer. Can they spray that crap directly over that?
What say you?

BTW 73fj, I am going to use the 110 gas/mig with .023 wire to weld the inside when I flip it. I think you are right, I had the heat too high.


Ed

 

[73fj]

If you have some scrap from your project laying around do some practice beads. This will help you find a good heat range, plus it will give you some confidence with thinner metal. 0.23 is perfect for sheetmetal.

As far as bedliner goes, I put some on my tub after I degreased and primered it. Its still sticking so I figure I must have done it right.

 

[chappysfj40]

agrreed .23 is the way to go with sheet metal, also just jump around from place to place and i try to keep my beads on sheet metal to one inch or less, just helps with keeping the heat down.

 

[Degnol]

Well, I finally got a little motivation and started on the tailgate. I used the windshield levers as latches and some bullet hinges I bought from a Mudder. Welded them on with the pins facing the same way so the tailgate is removable.
Next up.....fenders.

 

[Degnol]

Skinned the inside and outside of the tailgate and welded 4 mounting tabs to the box so I can bolt it to the frame...the dawg is an attention whore.

 

[1Fine40]

Please, more detail shots of the tailgate...that is really clean! I was debating just using a replacement panel on my 416, and doing away with the tailgate altogether, but this has me re-thinking that option..
It looks very simple and durable. Is it pretty heavy with the double wall on the tailgate??

Cheers!

 

[Degnol]

Pretty simple really. Just a frame made of 1" thin-wall square tube and some 3/16" plate welded in the upper corners to hold my captured nuts for the latches. A buddy sheared the skin for me and it is 14ga on the outside and 12ga on the inside. Not by design, just what he had on hand. It is a little heavy, the tailgate, that is.