M101A2 Rebuild

[thisbenguy]

Just finished restoring my 1962 M101A2. Been a long time lurker and thanks to everyone who posted in the past to give me much needed information. Thought you all might like to see the finished product.

Before


I picked up the trailer a few years ago from Ft. Meade. Shortly after that I used an orbital sander and removed what paint and rust I could and painted her with a primer. After a couple years this began to deteriorate rapidly due to to me not getting down to bare metal. At that point I also used whatever the DIY bed liner stocked by Pep Boys. The vast majority of this held up, but there were still some effected spots. All the work I did was solo and without any lifts or chains... Give me a lever big enough...







A nice break after a hard day.

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

Very nice!

 

[thisbenguy]

Part Deux

 

[thisbenguy]

Part Trois








Ta Da

 

[Trailboss]

Nice job made doubly difficult by not having a shop or garage to work out of. Looks like it should last awhile now.

 

[harleyhouse]

Nice work on the trailer.
I see there is one other member that works in their front yard.
How did your neighbors like that?

I weld and fab in my front yard due to the fact I have no garage.
like a show to all of my street. They stop and see what I am doing and ask lots of questions.
I am the go to guy in the neighborhood for project advice.
The trailer is parked in the drive way but is washed weekly and looks better than most cars on my block.
Being brite RED people take notice.

 

[gungearz]

Nice front yard restoration... I could only imagine how that would go if I still lived in Chicago... been there before... the actual fun came when it started to rain, we had to push everything in the gangway...

 

[thisbenguy]

Thanks, The neighbors don't seem to mind, or at least they don't tell me. A couple times a year I collect the yard waste from everyone on the block to dispose of and clean up all the limbs after storms (more for the fact of once I break out the chainsaw cutting twenty limbs is way more fun than two). I feel like this grants me some leeway.

 

[harleyhouse]

Smart man.

If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

 

[John Galt]

Nice restoration. I went black on my trailer as well.

Most of the work was done in my drive and the neighbors enjoyed watching and seeing the progress. Once it is complete I will probably park it on the street so all of the curious people can take a closer look.

 

[thisbenguy]

I like those mounting channels... I may borrow that idea. Thanks.

 

[John Galt]

Thanks. I put some on the inside as well. Coupled with the clip in E-track ratchet straps, securing cargo is a snap.


.

 

[thisbenguy]

Thanks. I put some on the inside as well. Coupled with the clip in E-track ratchet straps, securing cargo is a snap.


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How is your tailgate rigged up?

 

[John Galt]

The stock pins and cables were a no go in my book. At highway speeds the chains would beat up the trailer and slowly work the pins out. Of course there was no option for holding the tailgate level.

My goals were to:

- Have the tailgate cable and pins separate so there would be no chance of someone dropping the tailgate and denting it further than it already is.

- Hold the tailgate level in the default state and be strong enough to support a few people sitting on it.

- Retain the option of lowering the tailgate completely.

This is what I came up with:

Bent some 1/4" bar into a U shape then welded to each side of the tailgate. Used 3/16 coated cable and a threaded link.

Used 1/2" hitch pins to hold the tailgate closed. These will also serve as an attachment points for awning supports in the future..... Still need to attach a thin cable to the hitch pin and lock pin so they do not get lost.

 

[John Galt]

Did you service the bearings or brakes while you had it torn apart?

 

[MarkM]

What kind of cigar was that?

Nice job on the trailer!

Mine new A2

 

[John Galt]

Nice trailer Mark, do you have a close up pic of the tongue?

 

[thisbenguy]

@John Galt: Ah, the old weld a U Bolt trick. If only I had a welder... and knew how to weld. It's definitely on the list. Once I get a garage I'll take a class on it. Brakes and bearing are on the list for tomorrow. Had to work the last couple days so it needed to be put off.

@MarkM: It was an Acid 1400. My personal favorite. Your trailer looks sharp... Way less rusty than mine was.

 

[MarkM]

Just finished up the adjustable lunette unit today...



How about one of these? Been saving a few of these for years

 

[thisbenguy]

@MarkM Is that a second trailer I see in front? I'm not much of an aficionado, I'd had one of these at my bachelor party and really enjoyed it.