Off road trailer conversion

[Ar_Davis]

I am starting to convert this small trailer I bought off craigslist last year into an off road/camping/kayaking trailer. It appeared to be an m101 copy at some point but it has seen better days now, if memory serves me correctly I only paid about $200 for it. Right now I plan on building a tub, a lid, and flat fenders out of 1x1 square tube and sheet metal. Although the first order of business is to get the suspension sorted out, I came here to see if anyone could identify the shackles that are on this trailer and where to order new ones and bushings.

Here are pictures of the trailer after I got it and of it now that it is stripped of the nasty diamond plate sides it had.





Here are the shackles, any ideas?

 

[Mark Harley]

Great frame to start.
Interested in seeing the progress.

 

[biskit]

Great starting point Mr D.:ylsmoke:Nice to see a new project coming up.:Wow1:

 

[highlandercj-7]

Take the shackle off. If it's a 1" bore x 2" or 2.5" wide Jeep CJ shackle bushings will work.

 

[dmc1]

Isn't the shackle leaning in the wrong direction? Looks as if the springs have been changed and are too short or the shackle hanger has been moved. I think the spring will bottom out where it is if there is weight on the trailer.

Mark, chime in and verify.

Looks like a great project to start with. Wish I could have found a tub...

 

[Ar_Davis]

Well on second thought I may change the set up. The springs are way too stiff how it sits. I restore/service english cars for a living so I have a lot of old parts laying around. I think I am going to take a spring and shackle set up off of a small MG and set it up on the trailer. After the trailer is back to full empty weight I will probably do some testing and see if I need to add or subtract some leafs (leaves?). I hope to gather all the stuff tomorrow and start putting it together over the weekend. I appreciate the input and kind words

 

[Xtreme XJ]

Looks like the main spring is too short OR the spring mounts F & R are too far apart... maybe shorten the mount that's bolted to the bottom of the frame... the shackle should be canted to the rear a bit as opposed to inline with the arc of the springs... as dmc1 mentioned...

Also it appears that the inner sidewalls were rubbing on the... tub ?? maybe...

Curt

 

[dmc1]

I did not see the tire rubbing. Definitely take care of that. The stiffness you speak of is most likely coming from the shackle set up as I would assume the bolts are being loaded instead of the springs. Make the suspension your foundation and you'll have yourself a very nice trailer.

Be safe while under the trailer! If you have the means to flip it over that will allow you to take a ton of measurements and get that bad boy set up perfectly.

Keep the pics coming.

 

[Ar_Davis]

I got all the stuff home, I am going to try and mock it up tomorrow depending on the weather.

That tire rub is from a piece of the tub I cut off shifting on the way to the scrap yard so no worries. I actually plan on ordering new hubs or adaptors to put a set of stock sahara wheels on the axle.