JeeperJake
Observer
A few more pics from Black Ridge!
Jeeper Jake's M416 Expedition Trailer Build
- Thread starter JeeperJake
- Start date
JeeperJake
Observer
Actuators and lid design
After our trip to Blackridge, i wanted to get the lift and lid dialed in. I always planned for actuators and a lid. I wanted an internal actuator setup. A pretty stealth look and eventually i would get there.
Some quick sketches and dims on the whiteboard table.
Adding the actuators to the sub frame. The lid will later be welded on.
Picking up the lid in 2 sections from the local sheet metal shop.
Test fitting the lid, as you can see the bends were a little off and I had to modify the cut out to get it to fit around the shop.
After talking with the fab shop, we decided that they would bend me a new one and go about it a little differently next time.
Even though the lid didn't fit right i knew i would like the outcome. We were planning a trip to Yellowstone for a half marathon in 2 weeks, so it was crunch time.
After our trip to Blackridge, i wanted to get the lift and lid dialed in. I always planned for actuators and a lid. I wanted an internal actuator setup. A pretty stealth look and eventually i would get there.
Some quick sketches and dims on the whiteboard table.
Adding the actuators to the sub frame. The lid will later be welded on.
Picking up the lid in 2 sections from the local sheet metal shop.
Test fitting the lid, as you can see the bends were a little off and I had to modify the cut out to get it to fit around the shop.
After talking with the fab shop, we decided that they would bend me a new one and go about it a little differently next time.
Even though the lid didn't fit right i knew i would like the outcome. We were planning a trip to Yellowstone for a half marathon in 2 weeks, so it was crunch time.
JeeperJake
Observer
Well the deadline I had came and went so we had to take the trip to Yellowstone without the lid. I had talked to my bender and they agreed to make a new lid for me. We decided on a new layout and a few different bends. They took too long to get the lid done as it wasn't priority due to the fact I wasn't paying for another one. So now we had out trip to Yellowstone with the tent on the rack, but now had the addition of the actuators to "raise the roof". It worked great! and was excited that I only had to duck just a bit to walk underneath the tent inside the annex.
JeeperJake
Observer
Raising the Roof....top tent. Pics from Yellowstone.
Towed great to Yellowstone!
The actuators worked great with the harbor freight tongue box that was quickly thrown together with some actuator and light switches.
Finally a Basecamp to be proud of!
Rained a bit but all and all was a good trip!
Towed great to Yellowstone!
The actuators worked great with the harbor freight tongue box that was quickly thrown together with some actuator and light switches.
Finally a Basecamp to be proud of!
Rained a bit but all and all was a good trip!
Last edited:
JeeperJake
Observer
Lid revision, attachment and paint
After we got back from Yellowstone I vowed I would get the lid done so i would have to use a tarp ever again. The new version of the lid was pre-bent on the edges to allow a lip for the lid to sit on the tub, and also cut on the long seam instead of the short. Once mocked up I welded in some spacers for correct height, and welded everything together to the sub frame.I would then weld the seam also fab a part that was left out to ensure the fridge was able to be sealed with weather stripping as well.
A couple coats of Raptor liner later and the lid was FINALLY ready to be mounted.
Test fitting on tub
Welding the spacer and sub-frame to the lid.
Welding the seams
Sometimes you have to Kilt up for maximum breath-ability!
Sanding down the seam and adding a filler to sand as flat as I could
Also lined up and added the holes that will eventually house my Rack rails!
continued....
After we got back from Yellowstone I vowed I would get the lid done so i would have to use a tarp ever again. The new version of the lid was pre-bent on the edges to allow a lip for the lid to sit on the tub, and also cut on the long seam instead of the short. Once mocked up I welded in some spacers for correct height, and welded everything together to the sub frame.I would then weld the seam also fab a part that was left out to ensure the fridge was able to be sealed with weather stripping as well.
A couple coats of Raptor liner later and the lid was FINALLY ready to be mounted.
Test fitting on tub
Welding the spacer and sub-frame to the lid.
Welding the seams
Sometimes you have to Kilt up for maximum breath-ability!
Sanding down the seam and adding a filler to sand as flat as I could
Also lined up and added the holes that will eventually house my Rack rails!
continued....
JeeperJake
Observer
Lid continued...
I had to cut and bend a piece of metal i had left over from the original lid. Test fit, tacked, and welded.
Bending lip
Mock-up
Tacking and welding
Sanding
Primer for entire Lid
Last bit of color match Raptor for the lid!
Also decided to give the tail gate a couple coats and change from black to Billlet Silver (or as close as it can be) and finally get it done.
I had to cut and bend a piece of metal i had left over from the original lid. Test fit, tacked, and welded.
Bending lip
Mock-up
Tacking and welding
Sanding
Primer for entire Lid
Last bit of color match Raptor for the lid!
Also decided to give the tail gate a couple coats and change from black to Billlet Silver (or as close as it can be) and finally get it done.
JandDGreens
Adventurer
very nice!
JeeperJake
Observer
Adding the Nebo Rack and making some brackets for the RTT.
Lining up and adding the Nebo Rack from TeraFlex to match the Jeep. My helper making sure everything is up to stuff. And making sure crackers are eaten of course.
I didn't show the process, but i had to make some spacers to get the right height, and flatten some of the parts from the rack itself as the original is slightly curved to fit the JK hard top perfectly.
Making some custom brackets to try out on my RTT with the Nebo Rack. They work awesome and I don't have any unsightly bolts that need to wrap around the main rails. It turned out very sturdy and very clean.
Lining up and adding the Nebo Rack from TeraFlex to match the Jeep. My helper making sure everything is up to stuff. And making sure crackers are eaten of course.
I didn't show the process, but i had to make some spacers to get the right height, and flatten some of the parts from the rack itself as the original is slightly curved to fit the JK hard top perfectly.
Making some custom brackets to try out on my RTT with the Nebo Rack. They work awesome and I don't have any unsightly bolts that need to wrap around the main rails. It turned out very sturdy and very clean.
Last edited:
JeeperJake
Observer
Wow! Has it really been a Year since i worked on this thing. Seems like forever. Hoping to get a few more updates posted soon.
Last edited: