Jeeper Jake's M416 Expedition Trailer Build

JeeperJake

Observer
Hey all! Been working on this M416 trailer build for a while now and am getting closer to done. Here is a photo when it was dropped off. I traded a Honda 250R for it. The second a picture of it pulled behind the jeep on a camping trip last fall.

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It was a solid trailer with minimal rust where is counts and a good square frame. Off to a good start.

One night when my wife was out of town I got an itch to tear everything down...and I scratched it. Will upload some pics later tonight.
 

50 fiver

Member
Looks good, anxiously awaiting your pics, pulled the tub off mine, just gathering ideas and information at this point...
 

JeeperJake

Observer
Some pics of the tear down and sand blasting

Once i had the itch to take this thing apart I just went for it. Knowing I was going to sand blast everything I broke it down.

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Last one is a Picture from when i picked it up after blasting. Then it sat...and sat...and sat. Life got in the way and it just took up space in my small garage for the next 6 months or so.
 

JeeperJake

Observer
The reason for the lack of work.

I wasn't able to work on the trailer as there was so little room in my garage and my wife wasn't ready to give up her parking spot. We had been in the middle of a design for a shop to be put in the back yard and it was just about ready to start building. A ton... more like 10 tons, of asphalt had to be removed from out back yard (previously a run down tennis court)then construction would begin. This shop would be used for my business as well, not just for a trailer build lol. At least that's what i told my wife. Here are some pics of the Shop Build!

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JeeperJake

Observer
After what seemed like an eternity, the shop was finally done. Finally some room!

Loft and stairs!
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Siding started
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Siding all up
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Had to rent a trencher and put in the line to the shop myself.
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Finally some power!
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JeeperJake

Observer
Finished the shop, added some concrete and fainally some more trailer work

Prepping for a small concrete driveway
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Concrete delivered!
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Done and done! Turned out great.
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Rust removal and prep for axle-less suspension
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removing rust and patching holes
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Removing fenders and tabs
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UPS delivery for the Timbren Setup!
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marking reverse light cutouts
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Welding in the 6ft receiver tubing
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Good enough for the girls I roll with! I eventually added an extension so if doing it again i would probably go with an 8ft section.
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JeeperJake

Observer
Ripped, flipped and rolling!

Mocking up the Timbrens and cut out a hole for the rear receiver hitch, along with the brake light cutouts
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The original frame was a c channel type so after measuring where I wanted the suspension I added a couple 2X3 braces to the sides. Once finished i did a final rust clean and put on the Timbrens.
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Braced and bolted, ready for assembly!
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Hubs on and ready for some adapter spacers...
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Was also able to test fit the cross brace between the suspension. It was a pretty perfect match. Knocked it in and welder her up on the outsides.
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Added brace to the back as well for the receiver hitch that i might also use for some stabilizers. I wish i would had kicked it back a few more inches though. Also mocked up a possible water tank location for the next phase.
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It's not going anywhere.
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Wheels to match the Jolly Roger arrived. I wish I would have been able to find some argent to match but alas...i had to go with black.
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JeeperJake

Observer
Welding the tub to the frame, some angle for the top, cutting a panel for the fridge

Welding the tub to the frame
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Welding up the tub to the frame
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Adding some angle iron to flatten out the top for when a lid would eventually be added
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Angle all welded.
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Made a decision to cut the side out to add a fridge door, so I also welded in a 1x3 support beam
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JeeperJake

Observer
Adding a 7 pin wiring harness. And Cutting out a tailgate.

7 Pin wiring harness hole cut and wired up
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After i finished the Angle iron on the top I decided to cut out a tail gate
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I quick zip with the grinder and the tailgate was off
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I welded on some supports and also put in some 2x3 to close against
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Used some metal putty to fill in some gaps and ground everything pretty flush. Without the tailgate section, even with the upright supports, the back bowing inward just a bit.
So i added another cross beam for support and to maintain a square base for the eventual lid.
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JeeperJake

Observer
Working on a fridge slide design and got crazy with the Raptor Liner.

Welding up a basic fridge slide tray. The ARB slide I had wouldn't work for my door idea. I guess that's what happens when you wing it lol.
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Welded in the Stainless Steel Door. It was a large electrical box that i got creative with.
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Test fitting the ARB frindge for clearance and proper alignment.
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Cut and added a cool orange piece of plastic for the slide tray.
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Pulled this beast out onto the gravel and primered it all up. Then added a couple coats of Raptor Liner to the bottom of the tub and to the frame! Also shot my poison spyder bumper and fridge slide tray at the same time. All turned out great.
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I just focused on the frame and the bottom mostly. Was also able to shoot the bottom and sides of the fridge slide door.
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Used up the rest of the primer i had at the time and started shooting the sides.
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