M416 Trailer build for back-country travel

[ExpeditionOps]

I have just recently purchased a M416 trailer. Frame is in great shape, axle is doing well also.

To be done:
Strip it down
Blast it
Swap Axle to Dexter with 6x5.5" stud hubs with electic drums and parking brake
Replace E-Brake housing
Weld in reciever into rear of frame
Weld Sliders to frame
Reinforce tailgate
Make height adjustable rack
Shovel/Axe/Hi-Lift mounts
Reciever added to tongue
Max Coupler
...
Way down the road:
Make tongue box(Water pump, Batteries,...
Slide out kitchen
Propane cylinder mount
Frontrunner Gas can mounts
Frontrunner Rack
Eezi-Awn 1600 T-Top
Solar
Radio/Comm's
Drawer slides for the rear
Spare tire Swingout

My goal is to be able to travel the tent at a low height and sleep at 6'3"+/-, this allowing the Awning to be at an appropriate height and making the shower room off the T-Top usable.

I'll be fully documenting my build on Expedition Ops Facebook page at Expedition Ops | Facebook

 

[ExpeditionOps]

Here are some sketches of what I was thinking for design wise. Excuse the napkin sketches.

 

[ExpeditionOps]

The Tear down. Sandblasting.

 

[ExpeditionOps]

I swung by Northern Tool to grab 2" recievers. One for the tongue and one for the back end of the trailer frame. This should allow me to have a rear recovery point for the trailer or carry a bike rack or maybe MAYBE a motorcycle carrier.

They had an 18" tube and a 12" tube, the 18" was almost a perfect fit to reach between the two rails, this will later get 1.5"x3 14ga steel tube going diagonally to the side rails for strength and support.

 

[ExpeditionOps]

To widen the fenders and reinforce the tailgate and get rid of the gate hinges used and screwed in by eye bolts...

 

[ExpeditionOps]

I replaced the axle to get to a Toyota wheel pattern to match the truck and I'm awaiting lights and the Adventure trailer Max coupler.

 

[ExpeditionOps]

Next will be Paint, the rack, a topper, lights and wireing, then she should be ready to roll. If you know of anyone that needs an M416 axle or some wheels, mine are for sale.

 

[Westech]

WOW that was a nice trailer.

 

[ExpeditionOps]

WOW that was a nice trailer.

Thanks, I looked for a trailer that had already been molested, so I didn't feel so bad about cutting or welding to it. I passed over a clean M100 before I found this one. The bones are good and that's what was important to me.

 

[vinny-socom1]

Nice job.. Looks really nice, are you planning on running the same wheel & tires as your truck?

Vinny

 

[gimpyrobb]

Nice! You using flux core?

 

[ExpeditionOps]

Nice job.. Looks really nice, are you planning on running the same wheel & tires as your truck?

Vinny

Thanks,
The black wheels are Toyota steelies, I'll be running BFG AT's to match the truck.

 

[ExpeditionOps]

Nice! You using flux core?

Thanks,
For all the structural frame/slider and earlier welds I used flux core, then graduated up to gas. Lots of spatter to clean...

 

[Jay Mallari]

Do you have the original lunette for sale?

 

[ExpeditionOps]

Do you have the original lunette for sale?

Sadly no. The casting is pristine, but the lunette disappeared long ago from what I could tell.

 

[ExpeditionOps]

The Max Coupler arrived yesterday. This is the first time the trailer has been attached to the truck since the day I drove it home! Big day. More pics at our [URL="http://www.facebook.com/Expeditionops"]Facebook page
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Now how to mount the lights without them getting smashed by the first rock.

 

[ExpeditionOps]

Well, after burning a full day plus some behind the computer working on a Stainless steel kitchen design, I was the CAD jockey ask PhotoGod about it, we finally got to the rack, I took out a loan to try and finish this thing before Feb. 17. (I didnt actually take out a loan, but I'm pulling out the stops)
Photogod, came over, again, today and we started to weld the rack in. Everything seems to be pretty well figured out. The gas struts are on thier way, so we'll see if the lift system will work. I found Pop Pins, from Grainger, and cheaper than Mcmaster Carr, plus had them in less than 24hrs and no shipping.

Enough chatter, time for a couple pics,

Tomorrow will be some electrical work, I'm thinking. Monday, pick up some more steel and the struts arrive!

 

[ExpeditionOps]

I'm a nerd and I love my iphone! There I said it. I made a video to document the first time the rack lift was tested!
YouTube - Rack lift first attempt by expeditionops.com


Here are some build pics of the lift itself:

As always, there are more pics on the Facebook page.

 

[flashooter]

Good job, I like the way you added to the sides and widened the fenders. This is close to my own M416 build...I also replaced the axle to match my yota, ran steelies and BFG muds to match my 4runner, custom lid and rack, extended the toungue, gas can holders, Custom larger fenders, and a Serengetti RTT.

 

[ExpeditionOps]

Sounds great. Do you have a build on the web I could check out? I'd love to see it. Thanks for the kind words.

Jeremy

Good job, I like the way you added to the sides and widened the fenders. This is close to my own M416 build...I also replaced the axle to match my yota, ran steelies and BFG muds to match my 4runner, custom lid and rack, extended the toungue, gas can holders, Custom larger fenders, and a Serengetti RTT.