M116 mule hauler

[microjeep]

Been looking for something to pull with the 1009 and haul the mule in, traded a fellow member for this 116 and with a little modification works perfect. Will start build thread as time permits

 

[microjeep]

Step 1 removing topper and home built body






Step 2 "The Plan" original plan was to cut inner fenders 5" slit and bend fender in then cap with removed piece, make filler plate for floor, attach tie down points and paint -FINISHED- got one side cut then slept on it.

 

[microjeep]

As I was finishing up for the day enjoying an ice cold adult beverage I was pondering " how to store the ramps? what about other uses? how much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

Plan B, if you're going to take time to do something do it right, I decided to build a box bed and mimic a 101/105 best I could.

Remarked and cut left fend at 3 1/2
"

Cut 1 1/2" piece from right side and patched it in.

made 12 Gauge pieces to patch froor


Photo angle doesn't show it but there's appx 1 1/2" clearance fender to tire

 

[hndrsonj]

Here's another with bed replaced: https://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?159450-Another-M116-Mule-trailer

 

[microjeep]

Here's another with bed replaced: https://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?159450-Another-M116-Mule-trailer

Thanks for the link and thanks Clinto for sharing the idea about Y ing the civi pigtail in going to make that change. Trailer has the LED lights already.

 

[wheelspinner]

I have seen this trailer in person and the workmanship is top-shelf!

 

[microjeep]

On with the show, Fenders cut, added piece back to right side, floor patch panels welded in place. never worked a sand blaster before so I an embarrassed to say I bought a cheap one from HF mistake, then i tried paint stripper mistake #2, then I sucked it up and removed all the paint with a grinder and knotted brush. Found the CARC marking so I worked outside with a fan on me and a cartridge mask, just don't want to take any chances with that stuff.

 

[microjeep]

Having your own shop sure makes projects go smoother and faster,
Shear 3/8" X 10'

Brake 230 ton 14' bed, 12' clear, will bent 1/4" up to 12' long, 3/8" to 12' and 1/2" to 7'

Plasma 5' X 10' bed, we have cut 18 ga. through 1 1/4" mild steel, It will also do aluminum, Stainless, some alloys and can etch also. Tolerance is .016 and holes should be 1.5 X material thickness but we have done smaller.

Also have a 50 ton iron worker for pinching holes and a horizontal band saw that will cut a 12" square or 12" x 8" rectangle @ 45deg

 

[GUNNUT in Iowa]

Having your own shop sure makes projects go smoother and faster,
Shear 3/8" X 10'
View attachment 765458
Brake 230 ton 14' bed, 12' clear, will bent 1/4" up to 12' long, 3/8" to 12' and 1/2" to 7'
View attachment 765459
Plasma 5' X 10' bed, we have cut 18 ga. through 1 1/4" mild steel, It will also do aluminum, Stainless, some alloys and can etch also. Tolerance is .016 and holes should be 1.5 X material thickness but we have done smaller.
View attachment 765460
Also have a 50 ton iron worker for pinching holes and a horizontal band saw that will cut a 12" square or 12" x 8" rectangle @ 45deg

OK - now you're just bragging (not that there is anything wrong with that ).

WOW! Nice Shop!

 

[joshuak]

OK - now you're just bragging (not that there is anything wrong with that ).

WOW! Nice Shop!

X2.
Nice '09 as well, looks great pulling the mule hauler.

 

[microjeep]

X2.
Nice '09 as well, looks great pulling the mule hauler.

That would be complements of MR Zout he's an awesome fabricator, body man and painter, I am not a painter.

 

[microjeep]

And back to our original programming.....

Wish I had taken more photos during the build these are of the sides and front going on, the spacing of the holes for the side rack match a M101 but the width is about 5" narrow. Also I made the sides 15" high 3" shorter than a 101. this is so the mule exhaust is above the side. When i was younger we had a lawnmower that if anything was close to blocking the exhaust when starting it it would turn over about 5 seconds and backfire you could hear for miles. Didn't want that to happen at a rally or veterans event, might get shot .


And the tailgate coming together, the hinges mimic a M105.

 

[microjeep]

And the rest of the story, chains from 105, cut and bent tarp hooks, for now painted with rustolem od green. Made new brackets to move taillights down and back so they show better. Looking for m101 or like with brakes to swap body onto then paint 383 to match CUCV. Will feel safer having brakes pulling with M1009 and having the parking brakes is a plus. Need to add rear leg and planning to Y in 4-way plug to pull with 12v vehicles.

 

[Bryan 45]

Resurrecting an old post- I just thought Mike's friends would appreciate knowing his old Mule and trailer were still hitting Military Vehicle shows.

I bought them over a year ago, hauled back to Kentucky, and have had the Mule to several events. This was from last weekend's KILROY Chapter of the MVPA swap meet and show. I had it at the Patton Museum back a couple months ago too.