My M100 build

[JJonesee]

Well, I have been lurking for about 3-4 years now. I have always wanted one on of these little military trailers. I am just now in a position that allows me to build, and use one of these. I have never done this before, nor have I ever seen someone’s trailer in person - just the great threads here on the board.
First things first - I am in Texas. So my primary uses will be light trekking and mainly to pull to trailheads for Jeep/Mountain Bike/hiking. I will also using during Deer season. I am doing this on a strict budget. Its hard to invest in something you are not sure if you will actually use.

Second I want to maintain the overall originality of the trailer. I don’t want to weld to the body/frame if possible. I don’t mind drilling holes. I really want to keep the lunette, but its not going to happen.

Third, my projects take time. I am never home.

Ideally the wife, dogs, and I will make a trip out West to see Moab next spring. White Rim trail is one of my goals.

Goals:
- Lid with rack
- RTT
- Rear bumper for bike rack
- Under mount spare (until I swap axle to match LJ)
- Receiver on tongue
- Gas can mount

 

[JJonesee]

1951 M-100.
90% complete.
-Minor rust on front wall
-Front wall bent pretty good.
-Brake cable is frozen, everything else seems fine..

I need to practice loading photos evidently.

 

[ntsqd]

The forum's been having some issues with up-loads lately - May not be you.

Why can you not keep the lunette? As I recall most of those trailers feature a lunette assembly that unbolts. Can use one of these "Towing Eyes" in the socket receiver that you desire.

A good way to mount an under-tongue spare is to use the spare tire winch found on many import trucks and later domestics. Can likely bolt it to the tongue using it's cut-down original cross member. I weld a lug nut of the same size as those on the trailer to the end of the 'drive shaft' for the winch. That way your lug wrench does double duty. In your case you may want to make it the same as the Jeep, if they are different sizes.

Time is your friend in getting the cable loose. I highly recommend "PB Blaster" be applied to the point where the cable comes out of the sheath. Best if the cable end can be pointed up so that the PB runs down into the sheath.

 

[IH8RDS]

Looks like some good goals.

I run the lunette and I am happy with it. I don't use it enough to invest is a lock and roll type hitch. My lunette is fully functional and the only thing you have to do is match up the proper size pintle and they are allot quieter.

Looking forward to when you get the pictures working.

Soak the whole length of the cable daily and it should loosen up. I ditched mine because I ended up building my own axle to match the Jeep lug pattern of 5 on 4.5.

 

[JJonesee]

Once I got it home - I began the process of identifying it. Its a 1951 M100 and I have the serial number. I tried to get the ACM and unit off the rear crossmember but it was just too corroded.

Extra set of CJ wheels will work for now till I can swap the hubs/axle

Off to Sandblaster

 

[JJonesee]

Found a sweet older style roof top tent on craigslist from a guy about 5 miles from me. These are hard to find in Houston.

 

[JJonesee]

Back from sandblaster - cudos to Cy-Fair Coatings. I am a do-it-yourself guy - but this was worth every penny.

 

[JJonesee]

Welded up the rust through.

Previous owner torched "drain holes" So I fixed that.

PS - welding this old metal is not fun with a mig.

 

[JJonesee]

Built a lid with rack for the tent, using free steel.

The tub on this thing was surprisingly square, given how damaged the front wall was.

 

[JJonesee]

Primer/Paint in my custom paint booth.

No Green..

 

[JJonesee]

I wanted AL diamond plate for the skin, but cost was too high. So I used more free metal.

Welding 14 guage is fun..

Mounted two 250# gas struts to assist in opening the lid.

The angle is not right, and I will need to do some final adjusting when the tent is mounted.

 

[JJonesee]

Hurculiner in teh tub and on the skin.

 

[JJonesee]

Decided to ditch the pintle after much thought.
Developed a bolt on alternative. Always add LockNRoll in future.

 

[JJonesee]

reassemble..
again..

This is where I am. I still need to:
- Finish/mount rear bumper.
- Lights/wire
- go through bearings
- Mount gas cans
- Mount spare

 

[socaljeeper]

Good job on the trailer. What did they charge you for the sanblasting? Is that a primer the sandblaster put on before you painted it? How did the herculiner turn out in the bed? In the process of doing all this to my trailer. Like the tounge mod too.