Is this an M416

FJ60workingdog

New member
I've had this fora while, and I'm finally getting around to sprucing it up. I had assumed that it was an M416, but when I went to unbolt the bed from the frame, the bed is welded to the frame in a few spots. Can anyone tell me what I have?IMG_3997.jpgIMG_3998.jpg
 

old_CWO

Well-known member
What you have looks to be a military trailer that has received a lot of previous owner mods. Aside from the coupler change, it appears to have commercial trailer fenders, different spring mounts (Toyota maybe?), some boxing in at the rear, no landing leg, etc..

I believe the bottom width of the tub is the quick and dirty tell for M416 vs earlier 1/4 ton trailers. They are wider but I don't recall the difference. 42" vs 38" or something like that. Handbrake handles are also different early to late. I can't tell exactly from the photo but it sort of looks like the remnants of an M100 or MBT handle is there; not sure.

Is there a tailgate in it? That might explain the boxing at the back.

I would actually prefer having one like this - make me feel a lot better that I'm not cutting up an unmolested original. Looks like a fun project and it has the right "patina" for an off roader.

dig it.
 

FJ60workingdog

New member
Thanks for all the information. More pictures of the back. I'm worried about the 'patina'. I'm not sure how much I need to do to make sure the things doesn't rot away. (I have a LandCruiser rotted out, I'm familiar with the disease). I just got a quote for $680 to sandblast the entire thing.

If I don't paint it, can I just Penetrol the entire thing? I'm worried about the underside. IMG_4002.jpg

IMG_4003.jpg
 

old_CWO

Well-known member
It's hard to say from the photos. Is it all surface rust or is there rot and flaking metal? Judging by the mix of trees in the picture backgrounds I am going to take a guess about location as NorCal/Sierra foothills/Gold Country. If so, you have a pretty dry climate and that helps.

I know a lot of guys prefer to blast and start fresh which is really a nice way to go. My trailer has spent as near as I can tell all of it's 74 years in the high desert so all it needed was a once over with a needle scaler to remove several coats of flaking paint and minor surface rust. I gave it a generous brush/roller coat of Rustoleum red primer before a top coat of Gillespie military restoration paint. I have no worries about another 74 years for it.

So I think you get the engineer's answer; "it depends."

I like the tail lights and guards. Kind of gives it a Land Cruiser vibe to my eye.
 

FJ60workingdog

New member
Thanks for the help.

It's at the sandblaster right now getting cleaned up. They are going to put a coat of primer on it, I'm going to get it back and spray it with Raptor Liner. Put some no-weld rack supports on it. I bought some of these for the back and mounted them. I should be ready for our trip to Death Valley mid-march.screw jack.jpg
 

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