M416 Square Grouper build

[xcmountain80]

The 7 way took a bit more time than I thought it should but it is finished.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53834

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[dinobody]

Any idea what the stock m416 trailer weighs? Looks like your build will be awsome.

 

[xcmountain80]

Any idea what the stock m416 trailer weighs? Looks like your build will be awsome.

I would guess around 400 lbs. dry, they are easy for 1 man to move around even with weight in it. mine w/o a lid should just be a little heavier. The weight and size are primary reasons they are so popular, well that and the versatility.

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[dinobody]

I have been thinking of doing a similar build I have a 73 Bronco. What did you pay for the axle? What does the bed measure?

 

[xcmountain80]

The axle came from ABC trailer parts out of N. AL, a common source for M416 custom axles priced right.

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[xcmountain80]

As you can see still some work left, my Dad was able to build the back with bondo and other fiberglass filler where the tub had been crunched (thanks Dad). I need to wet sand the tub front to back then use fiberglass glaze or fiber filler again and sand once more them primer then sand then paint (Toyota Millennium Silver). The fenders are just ok and I know I won't be able to fully restore them w/o more time but they add character, the trailer won't be perfect but the best I can do with a 40 year old trailer.

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[xcmountain80]

Look like we are getting there, today was a great day and while the trailer isn't perfectly flawless it looks damn good. I still need to herculine the interior but perhaps next week. I have a short road trip to test is all out this weekend.

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[Borrego60]

looking good.

 

[xcmountain80]

The Grouper is now road worthy and decided to shed a center cap (would appreciate if anyone had a FZJ80 cap lying around, send it on ......), and the hardware for my replacement drain from midwest military which is now pretty much useless.

Still to be done:

- bed line the interior of the tub

- do something with the landing leg whether an aftermarket lift leg that swivels or hi-lift oriented like I had originally planned.

- get some designs for a lid and start pricing that option

- add under mount courtesy lights to the underside of the frame, wire them for the trailer lid, add 1 behind the bottle opener.

- 1 lg sized or 2 regular sized deep cycle batteries with a frame and wired in.

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[teotwaki]

I like the idea of a "courtesy light" on the bottle opener! :victory:

 

[xcmountain80]

I like the idea of a "courtesy light" on the bottle opener! :victory:

I was thinking green for the bottle opener and white for the four corners, using the maxxima 3/4" LEDs found on eBay and what I used as marker lights (in respect position colors).

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[xcmountain80]

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[xcmountain80]

Now I'm working on trying to narrow up the trailer stance, I may have gone a bit overboard and ordered the axle wider than it really needs to be. The backspacing on the FZJ80 rims is perfect on the 4Runner but a bit much on M416.

Short of cutting the axle and rewelding it narrower I'm looking for Toyota wheels with a shallower backspacing.

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[Mark Harley]

Trailer looks great!
I would keep the axle as is and widen the fenders,
You can always use table space for food prep, grill or to put the cooler on.

 

[xcmountain80]

Trailer looks great!
I would keep the axle as is and widen the fenders,
You can always use table space for food prep, grill or to put the cooler on.

Mark,

Thank You for the kind words, your probably right I gave it some thought after I posted and I really think that is the best thing to do. I'll have the trailer place take a look at em this week and see what is more feasible adding to the existing or making new units, also have to have them loo into making a lid because I cannot seem to get the other Military style trailer maker to call me back.......

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