m416 suspension...thinking out loud.

Cody

Observer
I apologize if I sound like an idiot here...

Now, I'm by no means an expert on suspensions and this is my first trailer. I just picked up an m416 trailer and I was planning on doing a spring over with some CJ/YJ springs and then some shocks. However, I was thinking that a link suspension might be just as easy to do if I'm already welding spring perches and shackle mounts to the axle/frame.

I was thinking maybe a 1 link using a 1" heim or a johny joint on the frame end. This would still require a similar mount too the axle to bolt the control arm, but would only require 1 mounting point to the frame, and then a tracbar. Seems just as simple on the outside.

For suspension, I was thinking airbags, however I remember seeing some nitro shocks 5-6 years ago (before the popularity of 2.0 air shocks) that might be able to support/suspend up to 750-1000#'s per side and would be adjustable using a tank of nitrogen. I already have a 20# co2 tank, so I could get a different regulator and run nitro instead of co2 and be able to adjust the suspension of the trailer based upon it's load. I also have a couple sets of swaybars laying around from varius ZJ builds that I could integrate to help control body roll....

...but does a shock such as this exist? If so, would I be able to mount it vertical enough withouth cutting into the tub to make it work as both suspension and dampening? Would a cantilever setup solve that? I think a full on air shock is way overkill for this trailer (and it's budget), but I want to believe that a smaller alternative might exist. The more I think out loud the more I think I'm reinventing the wheel here and getting away from the most important premise of long distance back country accessorizing...keep it simple.
 

airlaird

New member
Help please

Cody, this does not address your post...so I apologize. Can you run out to your trailer and give me the measurement of the size socket needed for the lunette BOLT that goes through the lunette. Also the size bolts for the toungue kick stand. ( I believe they are the same size bolt). I only have metric sockets and I need to run out and buy a standard size...I just don't know what size socket I need.
Do you mind??
ailraird
 

Cody

Observer
airlaird,

To be honest, I don't pick it up until wednesday. When I get back into town I can provide you the info, unless someone else has it handy.
 

Cody

Observer
I'm trying to track down better pictures of what I have in my head...the rear of this buggy is the best example I have...

standard.jpg


single link frame side, and the 2 sides of the wishbone are hardmounted to the axle with ubolts--simlar to how a leaf spring would be. Because they are hard mounted, there is no pinion rotation to deal with and you use a tracbar to locate the axle side to side.

but, I think I've already talked myself out of dreaming up novelty suspension designs for that is supposed to be a fairly budget trailer build.
 

mep1811

Gentleman Adventurer
M 416 Suspension

How about doing a spring over? You will get about 4" and you can do it in a day. All you will need to do is have some shock mounts welded on the axle tube afterwards.
 

Martyn

Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
You definitely have to do something with the suspension on a 416. Thinking through the possibilities is great, but I think you are going to have to do a complete assessment of the trailer before you decide on anything. Some trailers are in need of serious repair.

The other thing to throw in the mix here is that the chassis on the 416 is fairly flexible due to the C channel construction. With the leaf springs the load is spread out over a long length of chassis. If you modify the suspension you may not want too much load concentrated on any one spot.
 

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