Big Dave's M416 Build

[BigDaveZJ]

Big Dave's M416 Build (stage 1 done, w/ pics)

Well, I did it. Wasn't really planning on it, but found this rust bucket on CraigsList for $350. Everything's straight and relatively unmolested as best I can tell. Fair amount of rust up top, but looked very solid underneath. May have to patch a few holes, but nothing major. No major concrete plans for now. Going to start by stripping it and fixing any body issues, new axle SOA, 5x4.5 wheels and probably 32's. After that, who knows.

The worst rust appears to be on the bulkhead

 

[Martyn]

Nice looking trailer.

If you decide to switch out the pintal for a multi axis coupler Will Morgan from Jeep Brokers did a nice job http://www.jeepbrokers.com/jeep_project_94_pintle_hitch_conversion.htm

Have a good look at the leaf springs. I'd recommend changing them out for something softer. I heard that springs from a Suzuki Samurai work well, never tried it myself.

Let me know if you need any advise, help, or parts.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Thanks for the link Martyn! VERY helpful as I do plan on doing that and will most likely stick with the original frame.

 

[silvergrand]

$350.00!!?? That was a great price!. Have with it. I recently picked up a M416 and have retained the overall structure. I broke it down and repainted it to better match my 2001 WJ. I also switched the electronics to 12 volt LEDs and replaced the tires. New drain plugs should arrive today and the update should be complete.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Crawled around it a little bit yesterday as the wife and I were discussing our plans for it. Drain plugs are there and functioning, but apparently one of the PO's didn't notice that as there's a few holes drilled in the tub. Nothing a little welding wire can't fix.

The frame is in GREAT shape, didn't see any rust down there.

I might get started on removing the tub today, depends on how the work on the ZJ and the F250 goes as they both need some attention today too.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Took it for a test drive around the block today. Did pretty good.

 

[highlandercj-7]

Looks like you need to take it back out and find the other half of the ZJ

JK lol

Looks good together.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Alright, it's time to get down to business with this thing. Picking up some tires for it in the next few days hopefully, and ordering an axle and some new wheels. I'm gonna run 33x10.50's to help keep it narrow, and was thinking a WMS on the new axle of around 58-60". I'd like to keep the trailer as narrow as possible, but still track well behind the rig. A trailer axle 57.5" wide would give me 3" between the tub and tire on each side (based on 33x10.50's on a 15x8 wheel with 4" backspacing), which I figure is acceptable since most of the suspension movement will be vertical with very little articulation. I could also go with a little wider axle and more backspacing, but all the black steel wheels seem to be 4" or less backspacing.

 

[fjcruzn]

Great find! Post pics as you progress with your build.

cheers,

dale

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Got it disassembled today and the frame primered. Gonna take the tub off to get media blasted this week hopefully and have a new axle on the way. Ended up not getting 33x10.50's but 12.50's instead. Oh well. Hope to have it put back together within 2-3 weeks.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

It's almost done. We got a LOT done this weekend. Last weekend we worked on some of the wiring and finished painting the frame. We got the tub media blasted at Blast Tech this week, they did a great job and the price was great too. Finished up the SOA this morning and started painting the tub. The exterior is pretty much set, but the inside of the tub needs another solid coat. We frantically put the tub on the frame in the garage earlier this afternoon when it started sprinkling down here. Not quite how we wanted that to go down, but the paint was dry enough where it wasn't too bad. It sits a LOT higher than I expected it to with the SOA and 33's. I'm hoping with some weight in it that it will come down a bit. Also there's like 40lbs of air in the tires which is way too much. I'll try to grab some pics later.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Here she is! Couple small details to tie up still but nothing major.

Trailer sits a little higher than the Jeep. I've got some spacers for the back I might throw in, also hoping some weight in the trailer lowers it a bit.

Been really happy with the lunette/pintle so far. Also mounted the trailer plug receptacle into the back bumper to keep from getting damaged.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Just ordered a Mombasa 3-man tent for this. Need to fab up a lid to mount it to as well.

 

[Springhilljeep]

Trailer looks great

I have a 416 I am just starting on. A Few questions. I like you will do the spring over.

1. What shocks did you use? Do you have manufacturer and part number.

2. Did you have to move the fenders with the 33 inch tires and would 35 fit??

3. What size axle length did you go with, I have been looking at a 57".

$. Did you use the factory springs or replace them?

Any other advise from someone who has done would be appreciated

 

[BigDaveZJ]

1. Original shocks with mounts relocated to optimize travel

2. Didn't move them, but 35's would put the pintle awful high. Even with 33's it's considerably higher than the hitch on the my ZJ on 35's.

3. I think it's a 62", whatever the narrowest non-custom 3500lb axle that abctrailerparts sells.

4. Factory springs for now.

I'm doing this whole thing in stages, and the results of each stage will indicate what happens with the next stages. I plan on extending the tongue a bit, and adding some other goodies, so I eventually I may need to address the springs and shocks at some point, but for now they are fine.