JKNY's Expedition Bantam build

[JKNY]

Hi guys!

Been lurking on this forum for a while, lots of great builds and inspirations on here! I can now finally start a build of my own!

I have a 08 4th Gen 4Runner that I've been building for the last couple of years and need something that I can pull behind for camping and wheeling trips. So I picked up a 1953 Bantam trailer back in October. Overall it's in pretty good shape and I plan on building it up into a expedition trailer and putting a RTT on top of it for camping, wheeling, exploring etc.

I just started working on it in November and it's starting to take some shape. It's a every other weekend project so a little bit at a time.Hope to have it finished and ready to go this spring!

Build plans:
New fenders
Lid plus rack for RTT
Extend trailer tongue
New axle, spring over,6 lug Toyota wheels
Possible build new tailgate

This is what I'll be pulling it with.

So here it is the day I picked it up. With its 5 different color paint jobs from over the years lol

First thing I planned on doing was patching a piece of the floor because it was rotted and lifted back by the rear tailgate from water getting under it. The more I started the to prep the floor the more little holes I found all thru it so I just decided to replace the whole floor. I ended up using a sheet of 16 gauge, I probably would of went 14 but my local steel shop was out. Instal when smooth, after it was welded in I seem sealed it all up and Por-15 the whole inner tub and underneath.

Next I got started on the fenders. I didn't really like the round ones. Original I was just going to pick up a set of 416 fenders but I plan on running 33" tires on the trailer to match my truck and all the trailers I've seen with similar set ups the original 416 fenders don't really cover the larger tires. So I decided to build my own and add on some side step/racks where things could also be carried or mounted to.

Just finished these up with the one side earlier today. They came out pretty good, I also skinned them with the same 16 gauge and then painted the rest of the tub with Por-15

That's where it's at for now,more to come in a couple weeks!


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[tarditi]

Looks great! I just got an M100 (older brother of M416) to tug behind my JKUR.

The POR-15 results look great! I, too, have to do battle with the rust monster and your post gave me hope.
There are so many choices - I opted for a gel rust remover - we'll see how it goes.

I'm actually lowering my trailer stance a bit as the pintle isn't adjustable unless I swap in an M416 casting.
It currently has 33s on it and is way too pitched.
I'm going to run 30" tires on it (the hub swap got complicated to run same pattern as my Jeep).

Keep posting updates!

 

[JKNY]

Looks great! I just got an M100 (older brother of M416) to tug behind my JKUR.

The POR-15 results look great! I, too, have to do battle with the rust monster and your post gave me hope.
There are so many choices - I opted for a gel rust remover - we'll see how it goes.

I'm actually lowering my trailer stance a bit as the pintle isn't adjustable unless I swap in an M416 casting.
It currently has 33s on it and is way too pitched.
I'm going to run 30" tires on it (the hub swap got complicated to run same pattern as my Jeep).

Keep posting updates!

Thanks,

Nice i love these trailers their perfect size for rigs our size.

Por-15 works great! I've been using it on my truck for the last couple of years and had great results. But i have friends that have been using it for 10+ years an swear by it! The rust is really hard to fully remove unless you either get sand blasted or grind it down to bare metal. But the Por-15 actually works better going directly over the rust. I was originally going to get it sand blasted and epoxy coated but building on a budget so decided to go this route.

Ah ok i see. What kind of wheels and tires are you running on your trailer? I've been checking craigslist here and there trying to find a cheap set. I want to raise it a little to match the height of my truck, i'm hoping with the spring over axle and 33'' tires it will be pretty evenly matched. Plus i want the extra added height and tires in the event i decide yo pull it behind me on a trail.

 

[Titanpat57]

Looks good G!

 

[MarAgt]

Looking Good. Sub'd to see how it turns out.


Ken

 

[JKNY]

Looks good G!

Thanks buddy! Kind of learning as i go but having fun doing it. Loving the new welder too!

 

[1store]

great looking fenders . When adding the 16g to the top of the fender was it flat are did you bend a lip?

 

[JKNY]

It was flat,just welded them then took a grinder to the edges.

 

[JKNY]

Just about finished up with the fenders on the other side before I ran out of gas. I need a bigger tank! Starting to take some shape. It looks funny with the original wheels and tires now.

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[JKNY]

Got a little more work do won the trailer today. I decided to make a new tailgate because the old one was pretty warped so and didn't sit flush against the tub, not to mention it weighed close to 100+ lbs!

I used the existing hinges and framed it out with 1" square tubing. It Probably weighs 1/4 of the weight of the old one. Just about finished I just have to skin it this weekend. Then moving on the the lid!

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[1store]

Great timing .I am getting my tailgate back from the fiberglass shop today. What did you use for the hings ? I SHOULD DO MORE READING.
The tailgate looks great .

 

[JKNY]

Thanks, I'm happy how it turned out. Timing is everything right! Nice , how exactly does that work? Is the whole tailgate fiberglass or just the shelled or something? Forgive the lack of knowledge.. I just ended up re used the existing hinges from the old tailgate. I tried looking for new ones that would work but didn't really find anything i liked or that looked strong enough and i'm impatient so i didn't want to order some and have to wait for them in the mail. The old one are actually really stout so i'm happy i re used them, i guess there was never really a reason to get new one's i just figured mid as well while i'm doing it but it worked out in the end!

 

[karoja]

What kind of trailer is this? With tailgate and extra coil springs? Interesting...

 

[1store]

The trailer is a kit fiberglass . The tailgate comes as a skin but I want a flush gate that will show the frame. The hings you have look mean.

 

[JKNY]

What kind of trailer is this? With tailgate and extra coil springs? Interesting...

It's a 53 Bantam I believe but some have told me different because on certain things on the trailer. The original tag isn't on there anymore so I'm not 100% sure. Either way it's going to be a whole new trailer when I'm done with, I'm pretty much te doing everything at this point except the tub and frame.

The trailer is a kit fiberglass . The tailgate comes as a skin but I want a flush gate that will show the frame. The hings you have look mean.

Ahh ok I see, ,makes sense. That's going to be a sweet set up, nice and light too! I thought about doing my tailgate flush like that too but I didn't want to chance it because I'm sure this things not 100% straight being as old as it is and didn't want to open up another can of worms. Yeah seriously the hinges are probably 1/4" thick! I skinned the outside of the tailgate today but I didn't snag any pics. I'll finish it up in a couple weeks when I'm back at the house and then excited to start working on the lid! The more things I do the more I keep changing and adding things and the trailer keeps growing and growing lol new axle and wheels and tires soon too!