Pepe` Our Little Mule

[James Pierce]

Someone snapped this picture of James with this rig behind his JK this past weekend. Looks Awesome behind the truck!

Good on you James! The top and rack are super!

Thanks Dendy, This pic was taken in Rogers or Springdale I believe. On our way back from camping. Funny how small the internet makes our little world.

I'm interested in the recessed tie downs in your tub. My trailer has those, but most of them are rusted beyond repair. As of right now, I've cut them all out and plan on welding in patch panels, but if I could find adequate replacements, I'd be happy to go that route. I like the idea of having tie down points. Anybody have source for those things?

The tie downs are rare but I have seen them listed on army surplus sites. I will try to find a link for you.

 

[Mark Harley]

Looks sweet!

 

[TheThom]

Why didn't I run into any cool expedition trailer folks when I lived in Arkansas? I wouldn't have been so late to this party.

 

[west_ok]

Great build James. Thanks for sharing I can't wait to see Pepe in person that rack has to be one of the best I've ever seen. B.J.

 

[JPRazz]

Looks awesome James. You definitely set the bar very high qhen it comes to builds.

 

[tennjk]

Looks very nice. Quality work. I think it would look even better if you did the fenders in black to match the jeep.

 

[Chris Cordes]

Well done! I love that wheel & tire combo. So clean and utilitarian

 

[rocrunr]

Nice build on the trailer...... x2 on the fenders being black.

 

[James Pierce]

Thanks for the compliments guys. I know I've neglected keeping this thread up to date, building the roof rack for the JK and other jeep mods had Pepe on the back burner. The fenders have been black for several years

 

[James Pierce]

I'll try to bring you guys up to speed...

In May of 2013 I lengthened the landing leg so that Pepe would sit level when unhitched from the JK. I basically used the original as a template and duplicated it.

The original leg had been bent and straightened numerous times.

I determined how much it needed to be lengthened.



I found a piece of tube that matched the radius of the original landing leg then I began heating and rolling the strap around the tubing.







Sandblasted ready for paint...



A pretty good match.



Sitting level.

 

[James Pierce]

Fast forward to June of 2013. While making preparations for our Colorado Campaign trip I decided I should add a sway bar to help with body roll while driving on winding passes in Colorado. The soft springs on the M101 provide for a nice ride but sway a bit when you get a lid, rack, tent and fire wood loaded up top. I just happened to have a extra Land Rover sway bar laying around and it was the perfect width.

I began by cutting the tapered sleeves off of a Discovery axel housing and installing them into some shock mounts.









I then welded the shock mounts to the back side of the axel.



I had a piece of plate broke to go between the frame rails which gave me something to attach the sway bar to.



In the end I think it looks as well as it functions.

 

[Elysian Ranch]

I am in awe of your metal working skills!

 

[harv3589]

That's an awesome build James! You have some serious skills and I'm envious as well...

PM sent regarding shock assist placement for lid...

 

[James Pierce]

Thanks guys,

Here are a few pics of the Quick Grip tie down straps I used on the fire wood rack. I purchased Stainless bolts from McMaster Carr to attach the Quick Grip straps to the rack.






And an old one of Pepe following along on the K-Trail

 

[toymaster]

So... since you got a new love. What is going to happen to the Pepe' la mule?

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/142399-Adventures-of-No-183