My M416 "build"

[wbpolk]

I will be working on this trailer to have it serve as a base for my family. I will be looking for insight on what I may need and what i don't...
My son and I will be working on this while my wife is gone on deployment. First trip as a family will be from Niagara Falls, NY to Prudhoe Bay, AK
1967 M416
1. strip down and paint
2. rebuild suspension (leafs, hardware, shocks,..)
3. axle swap to match tow vehicle (4Runner)
4. fab lid to secure items
5. add rack to carry RTT
6. add power source
7. add necessary items for camp and cooking(will need some help here)

I have read many trailer builds but who doesn't like another adventure!

 

[4runnerteq]

Sounds great. This is one of my favorite ones on here. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/6176-Willman-s-Bantam-BT3-C-Expedition-Trailer-Buildup Clean and simple

 

[wbpolk]

Just got it home, removed lid and burned!

After a steam wash (hate working on dirty things)

Start dismantling

Worst part on the trailer, but they were still sealing!!!

Suspension was so flat!

Ready for blasting!

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[4runnerteq]

Looks in great shape. Heres mine. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/83446-My-M416-Thread Just real basic.

 

[TripLeader]

Oh man, it looked like a doghouse!

 

[DonBeasley]

Looks great and a good start. Keep the pictures coming.

 

[Sharky1528]

Miss my M416 !!!

 

[RDK13]

Looks like an awesome build!! I love my M416!!




Good luck and have fun!

 

[wbpolk]

well i haven't really done much, but i did drop body off at friends shop where the lid, fenders extended 2", and rack for RTT will be made.
here is what I am thinking as of right now: Feedback is always encouraged!!!

 

[mep1811]

M416

Good luck with your build.

I have had my M416 for 20 years now. I extended the tongue added a tongue box with a battery and 200 watt inverter. I have an ATV winch also mounted on the tongue. I did a spring over and reconnected the parking brake. That parking brake is a great feature and does make moving the trailer much easier rather than trying to throw chocks under the wheels .


Another mod I did was mount a tongue wheel with dual pneumatic tires. https://www.crofttrailer.com/croft-pneumatic-wheel-kit/#page=page-1
The trailer rolls easily.

Rather than do an axle swap and lose my parking break I just got a couple of jeep wheels and mounted some leftover M/T tires. I use a stock M416 rim and tire as a spare. The spare is mounted under the rear of the trailer using a spare tire hoist from a wrecked Land Cruiser. This set up will be much cheaper than buying a new axle, special wheels, tires.

I had a rear bumper made with a receiver hitch.

in the trailer, I have a fridge slider for my cooler and a tuff box for secure weatherproof storage .

Hope this helps with your build.

 

[RDK13]

Good call on the fender extension. That is something I'm planning on the future. Your plans look great. Here are a couple of things I did that you might consider. One of the first things I did was remove the eyelet and landing leg and replaced it with a four foot two inch receiver. I used about three feet of it and added the lasted foot to the rear for a bike rack. I relocated the trailer parking break so I could us it with a rack on the front. Awesome decision. I also removed the two hooks on the front of the trailer. I added a harbor freight trailer jack that can be stowed under my front rack. If you are putting a tent on top I would suggest a jack or some kind of support to the rear of the trailer to make sure every thing is stable. awesome bones and a solid foundation good luck!!

 

[Mattio41]

Rather than do an axle swap and lose my parking break I just got a couple of jeep wheels and mounted some leftover M/T tires. I use a stock M416 rim and tire as a spare. The spare is mounted under the rear of the trailer using a spare tire hoist from a wrecked Land Cruiser. This set up will be much cheaper than buying a new axle, special wheels, tires.

Any chance you can show us how you set that up... That would be interesting.

 

[krick3tt]

When I bought my M416 it had a spring over set up already done but the parking brake was not connected as the cable was not long enough. I did reposition the brake cable and it worked well. As the last post suggests that brake is very handy for securing the trailer rather than chocks. I also installed adjustable legs at the rear to stabilize the trailer for sleeping in the RTT. I did replace the drums on the wheels to allow the Pinzgauer wheel to work for a spare and the wheels to be Pinzgauer wheels. Spare mounted under the rear. Mine was a M416A and had petrol can holders on the sides forward of the fenders. Great addition.

 

[M35A2]

X3 on keeping the stock axle and brakes. They come in awfully handy. Carry a wheel adapter if you want to be able to use the same spare as on your tow vehicle.

Suggest extending the front a-frame while you have it apart. An extra foot comes in handy if you ever want a tongue box and you can offset the extra tongue weight in other ways.

Definitely keep the lunette.

I personally favor mods that help you carry stuff but I am not a fan of built-ins as you lose versatility.

Whatever you decide, good luck and a nice project!

 

[wbpolk]

Made some progress today, fitted all the parts I have been sitting on for awhile. Start the metal work soon.

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