Picked up a M416, and let the build begin!

[worknplay]

Thanks for the feedback.
I am up here in Northern Cal. by South Lake Tahoe
As far as the lid, I had a very talented fabricator do the work. We went over a few designs, but basically he just ran with it. The one problem that made it
a tougher job was that the trailer itself was not exactly square. So getting it all to line up took alot of time. As with any of these old trailers, I am sure it is the case.

Matt builds incredible vehicles that take up alot of his time. Here is his website.

http://www.stoffregenmotorsports.com/

If the lid you are looking at is $1300, and if it is water proof, and you can make it lockable, I would go that route. Dragging it 3K is a little far. But its up to you.

My wife and I just took it on a 7K trip and it worked flawlessly. The only issue was about 1500K in I had to tighten the wheel bearings a little. Went through snow, sleet, heavy downpours, etc.

We did a blog on it if you are so inclined

af996travels.wordpress.com

Take care

 

[canorisa]

Hi: Thanks for the leads and for your constructive reply. I'm seriously thinking about the lid idea. I'm still not convinced I want to pay $1395 for a lid you know. I'm going to try out sourcing it some where closer to where my trailer is at the moment.

I found this guy who makes these type of hinges. They are welded on to the trailer and work like a champ, or so I have been told. The price is reasonably. The kit of two welded hinges ready to go to the trailer sells for $140.00. So far I'm thinking of going that route unless I find something better...like yours :wings:

Here is a picture of the hinges I'm referring to.....


Here is my trailer. From the naked eye, she is pretty straight but don't know if she's truly straight. Bubba had cut out a tailgate on her but the former owner managed to get it all squared and so she looks pretty good now. I tend to be a "purist" when it comes to these trailers but since this one already has been modded, I'm going to continue modding it just a bit more, lol.

 

[canorisa]

Hi: Thanks for the leads and for your constructive reply. I'm seriously thinking about the lid idea. I'm still not convinced I want to pay $1395 for a lid you know. I'm going to try out sourcing it some where closer to where my trailer is at the moment.

I found this guy who makes these type of hinges. They are welded on to the trailer and work like a champ, or so I have been told. The price is reasonably. The kit of two welded hinges ready to go to the trailer sells for $140.00. So far I'm thinking of going that route unless I find something better...like yours :wings:

Here is a picture of the hinges I'm referring to.....
View attachment 296824

Here is my trailer. From the naked eye, she is pretty straight but don't know if she's truly straight. Bubba had cut out a tailgate on her but the former owner managed to get it all squared and so she looks pretty good now. I tend to be a "purist" when it comes to these trailers but since this one already has been modded, I'm going to continue modding it just a bit more, lol.
View attachment 296825
View attachment 296826

The only other MOD I want to add is a bumper with a hitch on the rear. I think that would look great on her.....


Another thing I have to add to the tailgate is some tailgate cables to hold the tailgate when is open. That I do not know where to get or what I need. I'm going to have to find a truck store or a 4 Wheel Drive store to help me out on that unless you know of someone or can refer me to some place, that is. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that I want to add a RTT to it once I have the lid on the trailer.

Joel

 

[canorisa]

Hi: Thanks for the leads and for your constructive reply. I'm seriously thinking about the lid idea. I'm still not convinced I want to pay $1395 for a lid you know. I'm going to try out sourcing it some where closer to where my trailer is at the moment.

I found this guy who makes these type of hinges. They are welded on to the trailer and work like a champ, or so I have been told. The price is reasonably. The kit of two welded hinges ready to go to the trailer sells for $140.00. So far I'm thinking of going that route unless I find something better...like yours :wings:

Here is a picture of the hinges I'm referring to.....
View attachment 296824

Here is my trailer. From the naked eye, she is pretty straight but don't know if she's truly straight. Bubba had cut out a tailgate on her but the former owner managed to get it all squared and so she looks pretty good now. I tend to be a "purist" when it comes to these trailers but since this one already has been modded, I'm going to continue modding it just a bit more, lol.
View attachment 296825
View attachment 296826

The only other MOD I want to add is a bumper with a hitch on the rear. I think that would look great on her.....
View attachment 296827

Another thing I have to add to the tailgate is some tailgate cables to hold the tailgate when is open. That I do not know where to get or what I need. I'm going to have to find a truck store or a 4 Wheel Drive store to help me out on that unless you know of someone or can refer me to some place, that is. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that I want to add a RTT to it once I have the lid on the trailer.

Joel

 

[kjg26]

What thickness tubing did you use for your frame of your lid?

 

[worknplay]

As for the thickness. I think it was 1/8th tubing and the skin is 16 gauge. Its been a year, I tend to forget things.

Canorisa. As far as the cables for the trailer. I just used some cable I had laying around. and some small cable clamps. Then got some eye bolts.

Trailer looks good. Nothing that a little elbow grease wont cure.

Take care and good luck with it. It can get to be a compulsion. I know, I still think of ways to add to mine. And am always looking for another one.

 

[canorisa]

As for the thickness. I think it was 1/8th tubing and the skin is 16 gauge. Its been a year, I tend to forget things.

Canorisa. As far as the cables for the trailer. I just used some cable I had laying around. and some small cable clamps. Then got some eye bolts.

Trailer looks good. Nothing that a little elbow grease wont cure.

Take care and good luck with it. It can get to be a compulsion. I know, I still think of ways to add to mine. And am always looking for another one.

Funny you say that. This IS my 7th 1/4 ton military trailer. I sold four of them and still have three. Two in dry storage and one at my parents yard getting ready to restore. Yeah, you might say I have a trailer problem, lol .

Thanks for the info.

Joel