Pepe` Our Little Mule
- Thread starter James Pierce
- Start date
James Pierce
Adventurer
Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you guys are enjoying the build.
James Pierce
Adventurer
I set the tent on and mocked up the fuel cans. I wanted to keep everything in tight on the trailer. Several of the trips we make during the year are in heavily wooded areas and I didn't want anything hanging off the sides of the trailer that could be ripped off.
Then I started weighing and measuring for the gas spring shocks. This seamed like a guessing game to me so I sent my measurements to Curtis Doiron a friends son who is an engineer at Rice University. He did the math and suggested that I use the 250lb springs. They worked perfectly. I should have paid more attention in school...
While I was waiting on the shocks to arrive I built some backing plates for the roof rack.
I also picked up so new Military lights ^^^, swapped out the 24v bulbs and they work great.
Then I started weighing and measuring for the gas spring shocks. This seamed like a guessing game to me so I sent my measurements to Curtis Doiron a friends son who is an engineer at Rice University. He did the math and suggested that I use the 250lb springs. They worked perfectly. I should have paid more attention in school...
While I was waiting on the shocks to arrive I built some backing plates for the roof rack.
I also picked up so new Military lights ^^^, swapped out the 24v bulbs and they work great.
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X2! I wish I had a garage like yours. Very nice build!
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
LOVE this build... very nice work indeed. My trailer is number 345 built in the same plant as yours. Many of these spent a lot of time overseas, but some were built then stored until they were sold. Mine was obviously used pretty extensively!! I would say however that my suspension is in far better shape than yours was. My bushings still look very serviceable, but the shocks were shot. The leaf packs need a rebuild as yours got, for now I simply did a clean and grind and POR15'ed them until next year. I missed out on a set of NOS M101 CDN2 leafs recently, bummed I didn't jump on those.
The wheel and tire combo looks excellent on there, very nice indeed. What is the backspacing on those, 4.25" ish? I need to mount some gas struts on my lid, which BTW looks very similar but is wood as opposed to steel. Can you send or post the measurements for where you attached the ends of the struts to the lid and the tub for me? I am hoping to get mine done in the next few weeks, and this would be very helpful.
250# struts eh?
:drool:
Thanks!
Greg
The wheel and tire combo looks excellent on there, very nice indeed. What is the backspacing on those, 4.25" ish? I need to mount some gas struts on my lid, which BTW looks very similar but is wood as opposed to steel. Can you send or post the measurements for where you attached the ends of the struts to the lid and the tub for me? I am hoping to get mine done in the next few weeks, and this would be very helpful.
250# struts eh?
:drool:
Thanks!
Greg
James Pierce
Adventurer
Greg,
I suspect mine saw plenty of use as well. It had a lot of corrosion when I got it. Looking back at 2007 when you could get a "new" one for $500-700 makes me sick
I bet your lid is considerably lighter than mine and you would need a lot lighter gas spring. There is a chart http://www.mcmaster.com/#gas-springs/=kbgscc on McMaster Carr website that might be helpful in determining what spring rate you need. We found that changing the angle of the spring only slightly made a huge difference in the overall torque effect. I will take some measurements based on were we actually installed the springs and get back to you later today.
By the way. If you happen onto some triangle reflectors I am looking for a few sets.
Cheers,
James
I suspect mine saw plenty of use as well. It had a lot of corrosion when I got it. Looking back at 2007 when you could get a "new" one for $500-700 makes me sick
I bet your lid is considerably lighter than mine and you would need a lot lighter gas spring. There is a chart http://www.mcmaster.com/#gas-springs/=kbgscc on McMaster Carr website that might be helpful in determining what spring rate you need. We found that changing the angle of the spring only slightly made a huge difference in the overall torque effect. I will take some measurements based on were we actually installed the springs and get back to you later today.
By the way. If you happen onto some triangle reflectors I am looking for a few sets.
Cheers,
James
James Pierce
Adventurer
And the firewood rack. Next everything will be sandblasted and powder-coated.
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
Hey James,
Yes, I will check out that site for the lift specs. I did come across a site in Europe that sells the Hella triangle reflectors, shipping seems reasonable to North America? Will likely require a call. Your fab skills and design skills are superb, I am very impressed with your work! If only I had the space, tools, skills or a friend like you close by! lol
http://seekpart24.com/hella/reflector-8ra003503001
My trailer was obviously pretty well used by our military, and then again afterward by the PO. There was a lot of surface rust, but nothing more than that. Luckily the steel they used is very good and the primer/CARC is a good combo and bonded well. Overall mine was more cosmetic than anything.
Thanks for the specs, and looking forward to following this build!
Greg
Yes, I will check out that site for the lift specs. I did come across a site in Europe that sells the Hella triangle reflectors, shipping seems reasonable to North America? Will likely require a call. Your fab skills and design skills are superb, I am very impressed with your work! If only I had the space, tools, skills or a friend like you close by! lol
http://seekpart24.com/hella/reflector-8ra003503001
My trailer was obviously pretty well used by our military, and then again afterward by the PO. There was a lot of surface rust, but nothing more than that. Luckily the steel they used is very good and the primer/CARC is a good combo and bonded well. Overall mine was more cosmetic than anything.
Thanks for the specs, and looking forward to following this build!
Greg
Mark Harley
Expedition Leader
I like the firewood rack, will you be adding punched metal to the sides too?
jeepfreak81
Adventurer
Man I love the stock tires that came on the CDN 101. I wish I could have gotten them locally for my M416.
James Pierce
Adventurer
I kept mine even though they are pretty dry rotten. I've seen some military surplus stores that deal in the lltis that have them for sale.
No Mark, I was trying to design the rack so that it would look like a roof rack so the metal is only on the floor.
James Pierce
Adventurer
Picked up the lid from the body shop where it was painted with bright white base coat and clear coat to match Brandy's JK. Please ignore the Krylon white paint on the trailer. It is only temporary until I get through cutting and welding on it. It looks so bad next to the lid.
Installed automotive bulb seal to keep the water and dust out.
The top portion of the latch
The rack was sandblasted to white metal, powder coated with zinc rich primer then top coated with satin black powder.
Installed automotive bulb seal to keep the water and dust out.
The top portion of the latch
The rack was sandblasted to white metal, powder coated with zinc rich primer then top coated with satin black powder.
Mark Harley
Expedition Leader
James, That just "POPS" with color on it!
I like the matching wheels,
Fab work on the rack is awesome!
I like the matching wheels,
Fab work on the rack is awesome!