Extend lunette

[TexasTJ]

I want to extend my tongue length on my M416, but I want to keep the frame as stock as I can. Has anyone hacked and lengthen there Stock Lunette? I only need 6" to 12" so I was thinking of having a machine shop cut it and weld in some DOM to the length I would like. This way it I see the trailer all I need to do it add a stock Lunette to the trailer for it to be original. Any thoughts?

 

[Mark Harley]

I have seen a few owners cut the lunette shaft and splice a length of heavy wall tube over it.
Here is one from IH8MUD: http://forum.ih8mud.com/trailer-tech/581302-1967-m416-project-2.html

 

[TexasTJ]

well then That's what Ill be doing.

 

[Mark Harley]

Post your results.

 

[Jevy]

I extended mine and had someone weld it up with a bigger welder than I had. We also driilled and put in two bolts as well for extra insurance. Be forewarned drilling the lunette for those two holes took me a couple hours.

 

[/dev/ram]

Hopefully this pic gives you a sense of my idea - a little more options in terms of what you put on the end.
.

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The holes are to weld a 2" sleeve to the lunette shaft, then holes in the 2" reciever to weld to the sleeve. Can put a pintle on the end, a regular ball hitch (mounted on a 2" sleeve of its own), or a multi-axis.
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As Mark said, pics later!

 

[RugerTrailer]

I extended mine and had someone weld it up with a bigger welder than I had. We also driilled and put in two bolts as well for extra insurance. Be forewarned drilling the lunette for those two holes took me a couple hours.

^This...Personally I would add two grade 8 bolts also. That being said I don't think it's necessary but I error on the side of beef with trailer fab work.

 

[BADDANDY]

$40. 20" longer rails mounted inside the frame rails using existing forward front spring hanger bolt hole drilled thru tongue rail and top frame rail. 2nd hole drilled thru original rail mount and thru tongue rail. 3rd hole drilled thru tongue rail and using existing outer oblong hole in front frame rail. Lunette end of new rails mimic original rails concerning mount holes.

 

[Mark Harley]

BADDANDY: I like your design best!

 

[/dev/ram]

I like BADDANDY's approach as it also gives shorter safety chains... as in ones that might actually work! Very creative, never would have thought the angles would allow that much extension.

 

[BADDANDY]

Thanks guys. The total length of each tube is 59", which is +19". It would have been 60", but I didn't realize that the forward end of the lunette mount angles out the last inch until after I drilled the holes. After I cut an inch off of the rail, it caused the angle to the lunette to not be perfect, but tightening the safety chain bolt drew it in. You might need to make your lengths less than 59" for the angle to be perfect, maybe 58". Drill lunette holes while ensuring the rails sit back 1", you'll see what I mean. Using even shorter rails opens up more possibilities of using stock front frame holes. Basically if you want somewhere between 12-18" of extension, mount the lunette first, then determine where to mount to the frame, then cut the frame ends to fit.
See the gap in the pic. The 6 rail to frame bolts in white circles.

 

[FredB]

Very cool. I had the same idea, only I haven't done it yet. I've been drawing and contemplating, but since you posted the lengths, I think I'll just jump right in and imitate you.

 

[sunnybean]

Resurrecting an old thread to ask a couple of questions. I am looking to go the route that BADDANDY took to extend my M416 tongue. But when I eyeball everything (and looking at the photos here) I will need to drill six new holes or weld it all together because the rear of the new rails do not use the same holes as before. Am I missing something here? Or are the photos shown just looking a little wider at the rear than it actually is once everything gets bolted together using the original four rear holes? As is, these pictures look like the new rails will interfere with the front drain plug location.

Thanks guys.

 

[brian90744]

You don't use the original 4 hole. drill new holes. and yes you must cut out the front drain and weld a plate on top of the cut-out. see pic=

Resurrecting an old thread to ask a couple of questions. I am looking to go the route that BADDANDY took to extend my M416 tongue. But when I eyeball everything (and looking at the photos here) I will need to drill six new holes or weld it all together because the rear of the new rails do not use the same holes as before. Am I missing something here? Or are the photos shown just looking a little wider at the rear than it actually is once everything gets bolted together using the original four rear holes? As is, these pictures look like the new rails will interfere with the front drain plug location.

Thanks guys.

 

[sunnybean]

You don't use the orginal 4 hole. drill new holes. and yes you must cut out the front drain and weld a plate on top of the cut-out. see pic=

Thank you Sir!