M101A3 axle question?

[VANMAN]

Hello All,

Thanks much to all who have posted their Trailer builds, especially those with M101A1-3's...

I have seen many have opted for a Dexter 3500 lb axle with electric brakes and their specific hub pattern/wheel and tire size.

Has anyone pulled off the hubs/surge brakes etc from the original drop axle and placed electric brakes and their specific hub on the original axle? Is this doable?

I know the axle is heavier but is does off a little more clearance.....thoughts?

 

[old_CWO]

I tried it on a A2 model and it wouldn't work. It's tantalizing close but no cigar. The military axle accepted the electric trailer brake backing plates but the trailer drums had different outer bearings. Bearings are an easy solve, I just found one that had the right ID and OD to mate the drum to the spindle. After that, I couldn't get the axle nut to even start as the Dexter drum was taller than original military. The military surge drums would physically fit over the 12" electric brakes but mine had big rivets where the electric brake magnets are supposed to ride and mangled them up so that combo wouldn't work either. Haven't put eyes on the A3 but believe it's the same as what I had.

If you have the A3 with the high portal axle and you're wanting electric brakes, perhaps a competent trailer shop can weld "civilian" spindles on it. With properly installed standard trailer spindles, everything off the shelf should work.

Honestly, these trailers are tall and can accept really big tires as is. Just buying a complete replacement axle is the way to go if you're after electric brakes and/or a different bolt pattern. It's already likely going to have more ground clearance than your truck even with a straight axle.

 

[wADVr]

I am currently considering the same thing. Last advice I got was to ditch the axle and go with a new axle or Timbren axle less set up. That said I really want to cut the A3 axle down and weld in new spindles with backing plates for electric brakes. Will see. I will be keeping the larger 12” brakes and 5200lb weight spindles/hubs though.

 

[VANMAN]

Yeah I really want to keep the High portal axle if possible...If you would let me know what you come up with...thanks for replies!

 

[dribelin]

I'm working on a M116A3 project and had the same electric brake conversion plan. After running into the logistical hurdles of matching everything up, I ended up purchasing an electric over hydraulic setup and will be installing that soon. Once I added up the cost of all the new parts to convert to pure electric, the +/- $750 for the Hydrastar EOH system seemed pretty reasonable and straight forward to install. Also, you get to keep the hand brakes.