My '45 Bantam Resto-Mod

[Lilbluerunner]

Got the Max coupler style hitch made today and welded on. Then I took it for a short drive to see how it pulled. The hitch needs to come up a couple inches to sit level but it pulled great. I didn't go far, just a couple miles since I don't have the lights wired up and I haven't installed the safety chains yet. I am gonna lift the Jeep an inch or so next weekend so that will help a little. Once the trailer is loaded it should be pretty close.

I'll be ordering steel to build a top in a week or so. Where is everyone sourcing their gas struts to help lift the top? I plan to install a RTT in the future but probably not this season.

 

[Robert Bills]

Where is everyone sourcing their gas struts to help lift the top?

McMaster Carr is a good source for gas struts.

 

[yj4trails]

I got my lift struts from the rear hatch of a Jeep Cherokee. I am not trying to lift a tent though. Just the lid and a cargo rack and they do a good job. Depends if you have access to junk yards or not.. Good luck with your build.

 

[Lilbluerunner]

Started building the Jerry can rack for the trailer today. I got it all welded up now I just need to smooth the welds up with a grinder. I quit for the night when the wife called me in for supper.

I was going to buy a HF trailer tongue box and almost did the other day but decided to wait til the sale this weekend. I'm glad I did now. I think I will just mount the 20mm rocket box that I have sitting on there now. I will just drill a couple holes thru the bottom and bolt it down to the gussets on the tongue.

 

[Lilbluerunner]

Tailgate latch ideas??

What is everyone using for tailgate latches? I want something secure but simple and cheap. I was going to either put a pin through an existing hole and use an S hook on the existing chain. I would replace it because I believe the existing chain is too short for the tailgate to sit level.

I had also thought of using toggle clamps of some sort but can't picture the style I need or how to mount them? I don't want to butcher the original look of the trailer too much. I am just going to build some tarp bows and use a canvas tarp for now. Trailer funds are getting a little short and my Moab trip will be here in a couple months. I don't need it perfect just usable. I can revise things as I see fit after we have taken it out.

 

[Robert Bills]

What is everyone using for tailgate latches? I want something secure but simple and cheap.

There was a thread in this forum during the summer of 2014 discussing tailgate latches on 1/4 ton military trailers. One suggestion was the Land Rover "antiluce" latch. It was a simple solution that I wish I had known about when I was looking for latches for my Bantam tailgate. I may convert to these the next time I do any bodywork or repainting on my trailer, but that may be a long time in the future.

Here is the thread: http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...s-For-A-latching-Method-for-a-Custom-Tailgate

Some photos:

 

[grnhornetcustoms]

This was easy and it looks like you could adapt it to work on your trailer. The lock is optional if you intend to have a lid at some point. It is a $5.00 trailer tongue lock.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Lilbluerunner]

Started working on the trailer today. Just grinding down some of the welds in prep for paint. I made up one of these bows to keep the tarp from sagging/flapping. It's just a piece of 1.25"x.125 flat strap cut an inch longer than the tub is wide. I used some scrap 1x2 rectangular tubing that I had left over from the side steps. They don't fit the stake holes perfectly but will work for now.

I have had that oiled canvas tarp for years and it's a little stained up from being used as a ground tarp when camping but otherwise it's in good shape. I am on the hunt now for some heavy duty brass grommets to add more tie down points on the tarp. They never seem to have enough places to tie them off so that they don't flap.

 

[Lilbluerunner]

Got the Jerry can rack and 20MM ammo can mounted today. I know a lot of people use the HF trailer box and I was going to but I already had this ammo can and it is narrower than the HF box. :wings:

I need to get some latches for the tailgate and then I think it's ready for paint. It will have to warm up considerably for paint.

 

[NORCALROOTS]

Nic,

Where did you source your fenders? I'm in the process of looking for 12" wide fenders for my Bantam trailer and have not been able to find any places that are reasonably priced? How much were yours and where did you get them from?

Brian

 

[Lilbluerunner]

sorry I just saw this.

The fenders are original as far as I know

 

[Lilbluerunner]

Started working on the Bantam again. I have 235/85/16s mounted on factory Jeep LJ Moab wheels. The factory Bantam fenders were just a little too narrow and barely came to the corner of the tread and sidewall on the tires. I ran it last year like that because I ran out of time before we left for Utah and frankly I was tired of working on the trailer by then and just wanted to be done for a bit.
I started off by test fitting my Jeep spare which is a 265/75/16 mounted on a Jeep Moab wheel from my LJ Rubicon. I wanted to run the same size tire on the trailer as the Jeep for the benefit of only needing one spare. As you can see the tire hung out even farther past the fender than the 235 so time to change that. :wings:

I cut the stock fender and sectioned in a 2.5" wide x 48" long piece of 14ga sheet metal. I only have the one side tacked together. I set it on the tab welded to the tub for hanging the fender and took the pic. What do you guys think? I also ordered a 1/4" wheel spacer to give myself a bit more clearance between the tub and inside of the tire. It was about 1/2" with the 235s and I saw a couple marks where the paint was rubbed off from one tire hitting a bump or pothole. I will most likely just run 235/85/16 tires on the trailer since I am a fan of narrow trailer tires since they pull easier. The 235/85/16 are the exact same OD as the 265/75/16 in the Duratracs according to Goodyear's website.

 

[PCO6]

Nice job on the fender widening. Looking forward to your lid build. That's the point I'm at too. I think I'm suffering from "too many ideas".

 

[Lilbluerunner]

I haven't decided how or if I am doing a lid. I am going to build a adjustable rack for the RTT first and see how it goes.

 

[FZYONE]

I suffer from lack of welding skills and a welder.