Just bought a M416

[cyberpvnk]

Last week I got a call from a friend who found me a M416, I'd told him to keep an eye out for me. I drove to OH to pick it up sight unseen and I was pretty pleased when I got there. I'm trying to quickly research what I have, what it's worth, etc. It meets about 90% of my needs but I don't know if I have the skills or tools to adapt it.

I have a 2007 Jeep JK and am looking for a camping trailer to haul gear in as well as light yard duty for rock, landscaping, etc.

From what I can tell here is what I have.

• 1964 M416 built by Johnson Furnace Co of Bellevue, OH.
• Tub is VERY solid and has been restored by previous owner to match a show Willys.
• Painted Orange with some filligrees added
• Drove it back from OH to IL with no issues. Nice smooth ride.
• Original looking pintle and lunette
• Parking brake works fine
• Tires hold air and look to be in great condition
• Very little rust in tub. Probably less than the size of a golfball
• Frame looks very good, no major issues and only light surface rust
• What appears to be original lighting.

I guess my main questions are as follows:

1. What is something like this worth on the open market? Ballpark.

2. Is it blasphemous for me to cut into this specimen given the condition it's in?

3. I really want/need a tailgate. Should I mod this trailer or sell it and look for another?

My Jeep


Trailer

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

I guess my main questions are as follows:

1. What is something like this worth on the open market? Ballpark.

I'd guess between $750-900. Regardless what you paid, the custom decals/striping make it worth the purchase price. :sombrero:

2. Is it blasphemous for me to cut into this specimen given the condition it's in?

3. I really want/need a tailgate. Should I mod this trailer or sell it and look for another?

Build it the way you want it. Don't ask this question on g503.com, though, as you'll get a completely different answer.


Craig

 

[Borrego60]

Nice find wish I still had mine.

 

[JCMatthews]

Wow!

Count yourself lucky and work that trailer over. If you've looked arount the net you'll see that a trailer in that shape is rare. Make it into the beauty you have planned. It is almost easier to start from scratch than to use some of the 416's out there. You owe no one anything. You have a gem of a platform enjoy it.

 

[XJBANKER]

If you feel like you can get enough out of it to sell it and be worth your while to start from scratch, then sell it. but if it really fits your needs and it is the kind of trailer you want than be happy to have one in great shape and have a great platform to start with. I am glad that I sold mine and used the money to help me pay for my Conqueror, but if I did not get that I would have kept the M101 that I had.

 

[cyberpvnk]

Great replies guys. I'm still debating what to do but one thing I know for sure is stepping up to a Conqueror or the like isn't in the cards for right now.

Anyone have a good writeup on cutting the tailgate?

One thing working against me is that I have no welding experience nor metal fab tools. There are some places near me that can do it but I'm sure they'll charge a pretty penny.

 

[cruisertoy]

I'm building a 416 knock off and am seriously considering not cutting a tail gate into it. I realize the tailgate makes it nice to get stuff in and out, but I am more concerned with keeping stuff clean. Since you don't have metal tools and may be short on paying someone to do a gate, I'd leave it and enjoy it the way it is.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

I'm building a 416 knock off and am seriously considering not cutting a tail gate into it. I realize the tailgate makes it nice to get stuff in and out, but I am more concerned with keeping stuff clean. Since you don't have metal tools and may be short on paying someone to do a gate, I'd leave it and enjoy it the way it is.

Good idea to try it as-is first. That being said, I owned an M-416 a while back, and found it terribly inconvenient without a tailgate. My $0.02 is worth what you paid for it. :sombrero:

Craig

 

[XJBANKER]

Find a local friend to teach you how to weld. I didnt know anything when I started, but Two bumpers, sliders and a roof rack later I am getting better. My brother in law taught himself from the video that came with his welder. Got a bunch of scrap steel and started to practice.

 

[bucketosudz]

I am betting it was at one time paired up with a Military style firetruck, I can see the truck I am thinking of, but can't think of the name. Nonetheless that is a nice trailer!!

 

[cyberpvnk]

I am betting it was at one time paired up with a Military style firetruck, I can see the truck I am thinking of, but can't think of the name. Nonetheless that is a nice trailer!!

It was actually restored with a 50 something Willys Jeep to look like a firetruck. Apparently the guy who bought the Jeep trailered it home and didn't have room for the M416 so he just left it. 8 years later I bought it for a steal.