JKJenn
Adventurer
I picked up an M416 last Friday from ExPo member Rightovercrest.
It has already been modded to add a tailgate, although I want to find a way to fix the gap. The wiring has already been converted over to 7 pin. It is, essentially, usable as is, which is a major bonus. Here are pics that were on the original ExPo thread:
It is currently sitting in Cleveland with my Step-Father so he can fab a plywood lid for it. I am using Scott's build from Dinoot/Compact Camping as my inspiration for the lid. The goal is to be able to protect and lock items in the trailer. I also have to add some sort of locking mechanism to the tailgate, perhaps as simple as a padlock.
I plan on mounting the RTT directly to the trailer lid. I weighed the pros and cons of getting 2-3 crossbars like a Rhino Rack or Yakima rack but ultimately decided mounting directly to the lid makes sense. Scott has said he has had no issues with moisture.
My plans for this summer include:
1. Building a battery box (probably using the HF tongue box) with:
2. Replacing the Crager Soft 8's with stock Rubicon wheels and using 5x5.5 to 5x5 adapters so I only need one spare. I have a couple of JK tires for the trailer now it is a matter of selling the M416 wheels and Crager Soft 8's. I have thought about keeping the stock M416 wheels and getting new tires if I can't sell the others, but we will see. I would rather not have to find another.
3. Mounting an RV water tank and connecting my Camp Chef water heater/pump. I am thinking about rigging the plumbing to a spigot like ExPo member Mark Harley did.
I am also considering adding a receiver tube extender to help with backing up (what a pain.)
4. Mounting a 5lb propane tank on the trailer.
I am considering other options for future mods, but since I don't weld, it will be down the road. I think I would really like a slide out for my Coleman Roadtrip grill an possibly a platform slide for my Yeti cooler. I would also like a chuck box. I am now monitoring CL for a suitable toolbox that can be converted to a chuck box or, perhaps, one of those Swiss Field Desks. I am also thinking about the possibility to mounting a counter surface to the inside of the tailgate. We have a nice building reuse shop called Construction Junction here in the 'Burgh and I am due for a visit. I might get some ideas there. It is also almost Estate Sale season where great bargains can be found. Pittsburgh seems to have more and better estate sales than other cities.
I would like to paint the trailer to match my JK, but since that will require sandblasting it will likely not happen this year.
So, here starts the build!
It has already been modded to add a tailgate, although I want to find a way to fix the gap. The wiring has already been converted over to 7 pin. It is, essentially, usable as is, which is a major bonus. Here are pics that were on the original ExPo thread:
It is currently sitting in Cleveland with my Step-Father so he can fab a plywood lid for it. I am using Scott's build from Dinoot/Compact Camping as my inspiration for the lid. The goal is to be able to protect and lock items in the trailer. I also have to add some sort of locking mechanism to the tailgate, perhaps as simple as a padlock.
I plan on mounting the RTT directly to the trailer lid. I weighed the pros and cons of getting 2-3 crossbars like a Rhino Rack or Yakima rack but ultimately decided mounting directly to the lid makes sense. Scott has said he has had no issues with moisture.
My plans for this summer include:
1. Building a battery box (probably using the HF tongue box) with:
- Marine fuse panel
- 12v AGM Gel Battery (already have)
- At least 1 12v outlet
- Inverter
- All-weather AC outlet
- Shore Power inlet
- Guest Marine 12v Charger
2. Replacing the Crager Soft 8's with stock Rubicon wheels and using 5x5.5 to 5x5 adapters so I only need one spare. I have a couple of JK tires for the trailer now it is a matter of selling the M416 wheels and Crager Soft 8's. I have thought about keeping the stock M416 wheels and getting new tires if I can't sell the others, but we will see. I would rather not have to find another.
3. Mounting an RV water tank and connecting my Camp Chef water heater/pump. I am thinking about rigging the plumbing to a spigot like ExPo member Mark Harley did.
I am also considering adding a receiver tube extender to help with backing up (what a pain.)
4. Mounting a 5lb propane tank on the trailer.
I am considering other options for future mods, but since I don't weld, it will be down the road. I think I would really like a slide out for my Coleman Roadtrip grill an possibly a platform slide for my Yeti cooler. I would also like a chuck box. I am now monitoring CL for a suitable toolbox that can be converted to a chuck box or, perhaps, one of those Swiss Field Desks. I am also thinking about the possibility to mounting a counter surface to the inside of the tailgate. We have a nice building reuse shop called Construction Junction here in the 'Burgh and I am due for a visit. I might get some ideas there. It is also almost Estate Sale season where great bargains can be found. Pittsburgh seems to have more and better estate sales than other cities.
I would like to paint the trailer to match my JK, but since that will require sandblasting it will likely not happen this year.
So, here starts the build!
