M416A1 Trailer Build

[67tank]

Why? "Well, we are holding ourselves in reserve in case the Germans launch a counterattack that threatens Paris, or even New York..."

Awesome movie to match an awesome cj and trailer.

Thanks Maglight. I was wondering if anyone picked up on that little reference. One of my favorite movies from the 70's.

 

[67tank]

Interior



Water cans up front and strapped down.
Entire bed lined with Rhino
old Police shotgun rack - lockable
interior lights from Superbrightleds.com

Weight distro is pretty good. Trailer is still easy to move around with just one person.

 

[67tank]

Mounting a spare

I have seen some 416's with the spare underneath. But a lot of guys who are doing that are SOA or have lifted their trailers gaining a little more ground clearance. I kept my 416 stock and putting a spare underneath wouldn't work for me. Up front is not an option. Again stock lunette - not extended and putting a spare there would bang into the spare on the jeep on sharp turns not to mention add significant tongue weight. So looks like to the rear for the spare.

Corprin posted a link here on EP - http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...umper-with-receiver-hitch-on-their-M416/page2
"Midwest Military sells a repro kit from the original Bantam tandem mod kit.
This is the frame bracing, and a bracket for a male plug. They were designed to run two trailers in tandem.
or a gaggle of them if you are Aussie!"


I contacted Midwest but the owner advised against using the hitch set up for holding a spare. But that whole thread gave me some ideas on how to tie in a hitch and then put the spare on a rack that slides in. thanks to all who contributed to that thread.

 

[Mark Harley]

Easy solution would be to get a used hitch from craigslist or a wrecking yard and fab mounts to bolt it flat under the frame rails.
No cutting of the rear cross member is required. You could probably use a smaller 1 1/4" receiver too.

 

[Mark Harley]

Post pictures of what you figure out.

 

[67tank]

Post pictures of what you figure out.

Will do. Going to take on this project in the fall. Off to Uganda in a couple of weeks for a little exploring and when I return - plan to first tackle an engine swap for my CJ and fixing a cooling issue on the trans.

 

[67tank]

Spare Tire Mount

Been a while since I updated this build. Have been busy the last 5-6 months on another project. With boar hunting season and spring expedition trips planned, I figured it was time to get my problem of where to mount the spare tire resolved.
Not mounting to the front or the rear - many reasons. CG, retain original lunette, do not want to drill into thin sheet metal of the original tub Etc.....
That leaves underneath which I have seen a lot of folks do or on top. Underneath - you lose a lot of ground clearance and would result in dragging the spare over a lot of rocks. Granted the trailer is for base camp, but we tend to set up some remote base camps with some interesting routes in.
Had our groups chuckwagon bounce on to it's side last summer



So I am thinking of mounting to the top. I could could pick up an old Military jeep spare tire mount for 60 bucks or so, drill and mount towards the rear (or fab something up) and then mount some water can mounts/or pelican case brackets towards the front to balance out the load. The top is thicker steel than the tub and since it is not original, I am not concerned about drilling into it or loading it up.



If you have a better suggestion, I'd like to hear it.

 

[brian90744]

Army strong

Tank,
I kinda followed your lead, with the same look.

 

[67tank]

Brian.
Beautiful. Very well done.
Were you in 3AD?

 

[brian90744]

Yes, in the 60,s 143 Sig Bn.stationed in Frankfurt,Germany. brian

 

[67tank]

Tire mount

I went out and purchased a spare tire mount for a CJ2/CJ3 for 25 bucks. Fit the Army spare no problem. To give me a little space off the top, I mounted that to a gas tank bracket that was incorrect for my 1941 Halftrack restoration project and was laying around in my garage. I like how it sits. May have to weld a couple of support brackets underneath and replace the struts - but want to take it out next weekend down to Hollister for a pig hunt and see if I have any major issues first. Otherwise pretty happy.

 

[cruisertoy]

67Tank,
I just installed a lid on my 416 and used a gas strut layout very similar to yours. What lbs gas strut did you use? I purchased a pair of 150lb and installed one yesterday. The force when the lid was closed was pushing the lid over by 3/4" towards the hinge. I'm thinking I've overdone it with the strength of the struts. I have a roof top tent on top and had planned on mounting a Max Axe and few other items under the lid. If you can shoot a pic of your hinge and strut setup.

 

[67tank]

Struts/Hinges

Cruisertoy

I had my top made by Sierra 4x4 in Nevada. Think the business is now gone. I was happy with the service and the product but have seen a lot of negative comments here from others who ordered complete trailers and had issues. All that being said, the hinges and struts were installed by them. As you can see from the photos, the hinges are first bolted to a L bracket. One of the three hinges is reversed so the top cannot slide off. The gas struts were also done by the shop. I do not recall what they are rated for - not could i find any markings outside of "11160" on the struts. They were sufficient for the top alone but now that I have added a spare tire to the top of the trailer, you need a little more muscle to open the top, but they hold it up. Going to keep what I have now until they fail and then upgrade. I hope this helps - let me know if you want me to measure anything for you.

 

[67tank]

Reinforcing and testing the new mount

I went over to my friends home shop to weld a support bracket under the new spare tire mount t prevent flexing warping of the thin skin. Had to remove the shotgun rack but wasn't really using the rack all that much. Neat idea, but just not all that necessary. To support the mount, my friend and I decided was to weld a bracket width wise underneath the rear bolts and weld it to the 2 outer support brackets and then a small notch in the center to weld directly to the center support.

Took it out this weekend for a pig hunt in Hollister. Put approximately 400 miles on the rig this weekend - 50/50 road and trails. No flex, no issues, no rattling. Need to do some touch up paint work and should be done. First gotta remove all the spattered cow patties off the jeep/trailer.

 

[cruisertoy]

Thanks Pat. My top only has two hinges very similar to yours. I think I really need to add a third in there. It sounds like your Struts are a lighter version just to lift the lid. With the roof top tent on mine I probably have a 100lbs more. Thanks for the info.