M101A1 axle swap?

[CAPTNDAVIE]

Anybody ever widen a M416 axle and put it under a M101A1 trailer? I am referring to the US 3/4 ton trailer not the canadien 101. I have a spare 416 axle laying around and thinking about swapping it into a 101 chasis. Lower ride height, smaller wheels and tires and still retain parking brake. Whatcha think?

 

[Mark Harley]

Should work, cut it in the center sleeve it and reweld the spring perches.
Parking brakes will be good too!
Then you can run 15" jeep wheels.
Take pictures.

 

[CAPTNDAVIE]

I have an original set of wheels and tires that were on the axle. They will work and 16" wheels so I can through some E load range truck tires on it later if I wanted to. My only concern is if the wheel bearings in the 416 axle will be up to snuff. If I do this it will be on a chasis that has no bed currently and would only have a floor put on it. I haul firewood in my current M101A1 so I am sure that if I do this it will see some weight at some point. I have seen 416's loaded over capacity and they seem like they do ok. I think this axle will do what I need it to. I just thought I would see if any one had done this before and how well the axle will do with some weight on it.

 

[JPNCA]

I know you have a 1/4 ton 416 axle but its not that expensive to upgrade to a larger capacity axle.

 

[Scrapdaddy]

CaptnDavie,

I'm not following you. You have a working 3/4 ton M101 and you want to replace the axle with a 1/4 ton axle, run smaller tires, but with a 16 inch wheel and a load range E for heavier loads. Seems to me, you are taking a risk, by lengthing the axle. Cutting and welding can be tricky. Since you would like to haul heavier loads, than the 1/4 ton, why not stay with the 3/4 ton and maybe play with the spring pack, to lower the ride.

Just thinking out loud.