I've been sharing my build up in the Olde North State Cruisers forum and it was suggested that I share it with the rest of "mud" and post it where it belongs, here in the Trailer Tech section.
I started out buying an M416 (some suggested it is a M614 due to the "helicopter hooks" but I'm no expert) that turned out to be quite a project due to the extensive rust. Upon reflection of what it would take to get it in shape as well as the extensive modifications I'd have to make in order to get it functional as an "expedition trailer", I made the decision to start from scratch.
I've read through most of the "home built" threads and learned a great deal, stealing ideas from many of them. But, I went in a different direction than most. I decided to make mine out of round tubing instead of square stock. Probably made things more challenging for myself but just had to do something different. My rational was that if one were to make a buggy, they'd use round tube.
So, off we go. Ordered a bunch of 1.75"/0.12 DOM tubing from my local steel supplier. I also bought a JD2 model 32 bender with 1.75" dies. I initially planned on mirroring the size/shape of the M416 trailer but, I planned using some influence of the FJ40 to give it a "theme". Yeah, to much time in front of the boob tube watching Orange County Choppers and Monster Garage.
Knowing I had a line on a top off an FJ40 that was in good shape, that became the foundation of things to come. The plan is to give it a track width just inside that of my FJC which meant I'd have to section the FJ40 top to match the width I was looking for. But, enough talk, here comes the important stuff, the pics...
The beginning of the frame, bent to match the angles of the FJ40 top, the masking tape is the planned placement of cross-bars...
The top marked with a center line and the portion marked to be removed...
Frame on stands, cross-bars in place, pile of uprights notched and ready to be tacked in place...
Top of the tub on the uprights, caught in the act of working...
Tongue in place with supports as well...
Axle, springs, hubs from ABC Trailer parts in place, went with 3500lb "package" with e-brakes...
Had to throw the top on to make sure it still fit after removing the section...
Had to throw a wheel on for the side shot for the full effect...
I started out buying an M416 (some suggested it is a M614 due to the "helicopter hooks" but I'm no expert) that turned out to be quite a project due to the extensive rust. Upon reflection of what it would take to get it in shape as well as the extensive modifications I'd have to make in order to get it functional as an "expedition trailer", I made the decision to start from scratch.
I've read through most of the "home built" threads and learned a great deal, stealing ideas from many of them. But, I went in a different direction than most. I decided to make mine out of round tubing instead of square stock. Probably made things more challenging for myself but just had to do something different. My rational was that if one were to make a buggy, they'd use round tube.
So, off we go. Ordered a bunch of 1.75"/0.12 DOM tubing from my local steel supplier. I also bought a JD2 model 32 bender with 1.75" dies. I initially planned on mirroring the size/shape of the M416 trailer but, I planned using some influence of the FJ40 to give it a "theme". Yeah, to much time in front of the boob tube watching Orange County Choppers and Monster Garage.
Knowing I had a line on a top off an FJ40 that was in good shape, that became the foundation of things to come. The plan is to give it a track width just inside that of my FJC which meant I'd have to section the FJ40 top to match the width I was looking for. But, enough talk, here comes the important stuff, the pics...
The beginning of the frame, bent to match the angles of the FJ40 top, the masking tape is the planned placement of cross-bars...
The top marked with a center line and the portion marked to be removed...
Frame on stands, cross-bars in place, pile of uprights notched and ready to be tacked in place...
Top of the tub on the uprights, caught in the act of working...
Tongue in place with supports as well...
Axle, springs, hubs from ABC Trailer parts in place, went with 3500lb "package" with e-brakes...
Had to throw the top on to make sure it still fit after removing the section...
Had to throw a wheel on for the side shot for the full effect...
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