Project Gryphon M101A3

[Phoenix]

The tires and surge brake are heavy. From my online research, a hub swap is not possible without changing the axle.

Pretty good info in post 3

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?48057-M101-A2-amp-A3-Axle-Spindle-Question

Just order brake backing plates with park levers and you should be able to use the park levers and cables from the trailer with minor mods.

Most people seem to go with a straight axle as ground clearance of the trailer is not less than the tow vehicle.

Thanks Ragnar

 

[afbond03]

Do you happen to recall what strut force you ended up going with? I think 50lbs seems spot on. Also curious if you remember what stroke length your struts have? Thanks.

 

[Phoenix]

I currently use 75 lb struts. 100 lb required too much work to bring back down even with a 200 lb tent on the rack.

 

[Phoenix]

I'm going to do a weight reduction project that includes
- Removing the pintle and surge brake
- Installing a max coupler
- Axle swap and electronic brakes
- Hubs with a 5 x 5 bolt patter to match the Jeep

I'm looking for something similar to the below. Anyone know of a good source?

 

[shack]

I just used .25" plate with a 3"x1.5" crossmember on mine. After all the welding was done, we drilled through the tongue so I could reuse the safety chains in the same spot

 

[shack]

I've gotten a chance to use the trailer on a few trips. I've learned a ton, and have a 5 day trip scheduled for June. So it is time for another phase of mods.

This phase will include weight reduction.

I am now open to the idea of swapping out the 37s on beadlocks to go to 35s that match the Jeep. For the trip in June, my desire is to carry two spare tires, and I'd like those tires to work on my Jeep or trailer. Also, the 37s with the run flats inside them have to weigh ~120 lbs each. Along with the lunette and surge brake being swapped out for a max coupler and ebrakes, I believe can get a few hundred pounds off the trailer.

Does anyone know if there are any builds on here or steel soldiers were someone kept the axle, but swapped out the hubs to ebrakes? I have searched both sites and had no luck.

Would it just be simpler to but a new 3500 lb drop axle with ebrakes?

Does anyone know if there are ways to retain the parking brake setup found on the M101A3 if I buy a new axle?

Can anyone suggest a company that I can call to ask these sorts of questions?

Yes, you can reuse the parking brakes on your trailer with a electric brake setup. Thats what I'm currently having done with mine. Its not cheap to do... thats for sure, but it can be done. Unfortunately, you can't do a hub swap easily due the ID of either the exterior or interior bearing. Its a funky size and you have to track down some obscure parts to make it work... IIRC, a wheel bearing from an old Ford pickup is supposed to fit but they are hard to come by. I had Rockwell here in Denver make my axle, but I'm sure there are other places closer to you that can do the same thing

 

[Phoenix]

I just used .25" plate with a 3"x1.5" crossmember on mine. After all the welding was done, we drilled through the tongue so I could reuse the safety chains in the same spot

Just reviewed those posts in your thread. Thanks!

 

[MDef]

Phoenix, it's several years after the fact but I'm enjoying this thread (as well as dstock and some others ... many others). I recently picked up a m101a1 and want / need to replace the axle. I was looking at a dexter 3.5k (or larger) with electric brakes. Like you I'm towing behind a jeep (22JLU) on 35s on 17" stock wheels.

Did you replace your axle? If so did you keep the stock wheels and again, if so what was your final hub to hub measurement (allowing you to use the jeep wheels)?

I think a spacer is also needed because the stock wheels won't fir the spindle, is this your experience?

Thanks for any info..