M416 tongue extension

[Airborne Lee]

I’m thinking about extending the tongue on my M416 about 18 -24 inches to better hold a cargo box and propane tank.

I remember seeing several trailers here that had done this but now I can’t find any of them. Could someone post a link to one.

However, I am NOT going to just replace the lunette ring with a long bar. I really want to stay with the A frame and original ring, just moved out more.

Thanks

 

[hesterj]

That is how i reworked my m416's tongue.Everything is bolted on using the trailers existing holes so it could be returned back to stock form if needed.
Wished my iphone could upload pic's here to show you. If you want to see it...look half way down the page on here
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f104/my-little-m416-1209794/index9.html

 

[Airmonger]

i extended the tongue on mine. Here is a link

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/46323-Airmonger-s-M416-Build/page2

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

Buy online a second lunette ring assembly... got this from an ExPo member for $40 IIRC?

Cut ring off where the shaft is straight near the ring... grind sides to "square it off" to fit in either a 2" drawbar tube, or an extension like I did. Only grind it just enough so that it fits in realy tight. I had to force this on.

Heat the heck out of it, and weld the cast to the steel tube. If you are not comfortable welding this (cast can crack if not welded properly), get a shop to do it. I also drilled through and added a BIG grade 8 fastner in an existing hole in the extension. Killed 3 drill bits in the process, that cast is SUPER HARD.

Sand/paint/prime. If you use an extension like I did, you can use different lengths and or hitches. If you use a long drawbar tube, you can do, well whatever length you like. I kept the Lunette mounted as well so if I ever break the coupler, I can switch to the lunette and not get stuck. Adds like 30# pounds to the tongue, but whatever...so did the Group 24 Deep Cycle, inverter etc. lol

I can now swing out my tire carrier on the trail, as well as fully jackknife the trailer for tight trail turns. Backs up WAY better too. In some ways I wish I had not used the extension (cost me like $20 on sale for a 24") as it looks a bit clunky? It is however very functional and useful.

 

[Mark Harley]

You could make a new extended frame.

 

[daninghram]

Here is the one I am doing. I still have some more to go on it. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/60008-Score-got-a-m416

 

[Mel.Specs]

Not mine but I am building my MBT with something similar.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/81995-BANTAM-Blasphemy-!

Photo's courtesy of Bonked

 

[Airborne Lee]

Thank you all so much for the reply’s. This was exactly what I was looking for. I am pretty sure that I want to do a modification that will allow me to return to the original configuration. So I’m leaning towards a bolt on extension with welded supports where the welds don’t interfere with the original locations of parts.

I think I’ll do a thing like daninghram did because I only need 12” - 18"to get a small box and a propane tank both on the tongue.