my 101a3 build

[frenchlayer]

so this is what i started with
M101a3, got for a deal at $500, came with the side rails, bows and tarp. Usually you can only find these missing all the other items.

I wanted to use this for hauling and camping, so I originally found a truck bed tent that would work. Mounted it up and it was alright, but i wasn't real thrilled with the setup. I wanted something quick and easy to deploy at camp and this kodiak tent wasn't it

Finally sold that tent and convinced the war department to get me a RTT for Christmas. She was very nice and got me a Tepui Kukenam ruggedized XL. This thing is huge


I tried to find some local fabricators to make a rack for the trailer, most had no idea what i was wanting to do even with pics, and others were too high on their prices

So i figured I would just get a welder, learn and do it myself.

I found a good used mig on Craigslist for $600, came with the cart, tank, helmet, gloves and some other stuff I would have had to buy separately.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/09/2386d54a3e67bcbca030020623c086fa.jpg

 

[frenchlayer]

Throughout the years i have saved up stuff for my eventual build.


Tent heater for when its really cold out. Tried this out yesterday and it works great, low setting was a perfect temp, high would heat you out of the tent real quickly

Eventually will add this, Xantrex prosine power inverter/charger 2500 watts, neighbor gave me this monster, just need to get some batteries for it. This retailed for over $3000 new, he just wanted it out of his garage

Also have an ARB awning that I will mount on the side of the trailer opposite of the tent opening
here is a pic of it mounted on the jeep at jeep beach

Also a zodi hot tap, found this on CL a few years ago for a great price. It works pretty damn well, but the pump it came with sucks. I recently got a 12v pump i want to incorporate and add a tank to recirculate the water and have water for a shower or cleanup

Also want to add on some type of mount for a propane tank, co2 tank, maybe the hi-lift and other farkles, such as some led lighting. Even thought about adding a set of vision x tantrum lights underneath and up top for the tent.

Here is a rack design i found and stole ideas off of, i liked the front shelf this guy added

 

[VikingGinger]

Which tongue box is in that pic? looks like it fits well.

 

[frenchlayer]

One of the first things I did was get rid of the stick surge brake setup.


It was nice when it worked, but the shock was shot and it is a huge, heavy unit

That was removed, and I had the bob weld up an adjustable lunette channel and lunette ring.

I ran this for a few years and it was nice, did what it was intended for, but banged around when stopping/starting, and ended up irritating me every time I towed the trailer


I recently replaced it with a second gen lock n roll hitch.


This is real nice and very quiet.


I think it even tows better.

also got rid of the heavy front drop leg, and added the adjustable tonge jack with wheels. Welded on a plate to mount this to the tongue

 

[frenchlayer]

Which tongue box is in that pic? looks like it fits well.

it did before i added the tongue jack. I think i got it at northern tool
but won't work now, so it'll end up on cl probably

 

[frenchlayer]

Once again, my good neighbor came through and helped me out
He helped me wire up a 220 outlet in the garage and even had enough cable to make me an extension cord, i just needed to buy the ends

My first project to learn how to weld was a table

hit up the scrap yard in cartersville and ended up making this

Nothing fancy, but it'll do

Started on the trailer rack. Ditched the idea of an adjustable rack and went with a fixed height. Wanted the tent at least 6'5" so i could stand up in the annex.

I also wanted this to fit in the garage so it was not stored outside all the time. I guess I should have measured the garage door first. So i had to cut down the rack a bit

Went ahead and picked up a sheet of plate for the front shelf i wanted

With the height of the rack cut down, my front shelf idea didn't work as intended, to have a cooler and other stuff easily accessible

so i took off the front support

 

[frenchlayer]

once the rack was all complete, the hard part of a paint color choice began. I had some old enamel paint that i wanted to use to save money. Grey

Not sold on the grey, didn't go with the jeep either, and looked too much like a battleship

neighbor again, had a can of paint he mixed up for the old 416 we restored but never used.

this was a test

wife again, wasn't a fan, and wanted green. Closest i could find at HD was hunter green

NOPE, not gunna do it

ended up using the tan

 

[frenchlayer]

Here is one of two tables I am making, removable, for a grill or portable flippy cup table. Other will have a sink. Have a bar sink I saved that will go in that one

all reflectors painted and various hooks painted and remounted as well

Also a couple of trasheroos mounted on the trailer

One to hold the pett toilet and bags, another for the tent annex and awning poles

Will have the pett toilet down in the annex

 

[frenchlayer]

Also cut off the original pins and chains that held the tailgate closed and used some hitch pins instead

Also made up a couple cables to be able to lay the tailgate down flat for use when hauling or as a table or impromptu chair

last year while out walking the dogs, the neighbor had this at his trash pile to throw away.

It was nasty and covered in old moldy paper. Took that with me back home and stripped off the old paper, sanded down all the nasty wood, and stained and sealed it.

it actually came out pretty nice for a trash find

Added some interior compartments and voila, a kitchen box. This holds my coleman, grill, pots and pans, kettle, cups, knives and forks and other kitchen stuff

 

[frenchlayer]

and this is where it is as of now. Still a few more things to add, such as water tank, wire up the inverter, get longer hoses for the heater, plumbing and so on.

I have a few sets of quick fists i never used on the jeep, and might add a shovel mount, add the hi lift on the front and any other ideas that i can steal from this forum:sombrero:

 

[dstock]

Nice work!

Where do you mount your Trasharoos? I've been trying to come up with a way to mount them off the back but swing out of the way once camp is reached, to provide access to the tailgate.

 

[frenchlayer]

i have them hanging off the rack for now. Since the tent has mounting rails, it has a gap that allowed me to slip the straps through

 

[dstock]

I see, I have a cover on mine, so I have to stick to the outside. Thanks for the info!

 

[Blacknight]

Looking good!