M416 Build in Maryland

[Kflash]

New to forum!

Just purchased a 1972 M416 from a gentleman in Fredericksburg, VA. Owned prior by VA Department of Forestry and was in really great shape. When I purchased it, it had been wire wheeled sanded and painted. Had the original lunette cut off and a standard hitch receiver whelded to it. I will be selling that if anyone is interested, as I already have a new lunette ordered. I will be keeping it fairly stock for now to keep it historically intact for future resale. Then again, may do axles and tires at a later date to match Jeep. I purchased a few other parts to freshen it up. New-old rims, new tires/tubes, bed spring stoppers, axle bearings/cups, hub covers, canvas tarp and shocks.

I do need to have one of the tabs re-welded that holds the bracked for the spring drain stopper, and have them fab up a small piece of metal that comvers one of the drain holes.

Even though the old tires were fairly worn, it towed great back to my home. Since it was given a VIN and titled/registered in VA, I am hoping that with a quick inspection, I will have it on the road soon.

Keeping the stock axle and tires, I needed to move the lunette to the top position. It should tow fairly flat with the new tires in place. If not, a mild shackle lift should do. I have a 3 in Teraflex short arm lift on the JK and 35 in Procomp Xtreme mud terrains. Not sure if 35s would make the trailer a bit dysfunctional for general use without a tailgate.

[Mark Harley]

I vote matching wheels and tires. Off to a good start.

[Kflash]

Thanks. Was really glad to finally find (and afford) one close enough! New rims were only $24 and tires $100. Probably go more agressive later, but this keeps it in my budget for now.

[Mark Harley]

A spring over may give you the lift you need and make it ride level.

[Kflash]

Wire wheeled, sanded and primed one of the original rims. Gave a guy at tire place a few bucks to pop off the tire. Painted the backs of all three tonight. The original green of the new/old rims almost looked too cool to paint over, but that wouldn't match the Jeep. Went with a gloss black to match.

I goofed and only ordered two tires. Will have to eat another shipping charge for the spare. I may just keep one of the originals as a spare as I plan to upgrade next year.

Wheels Before.jpg

[Main Line Overland]

Nice work.

We are fans of the spring over and matched wheels and tires to the rig.

Keep up the good work!

[Hill, Bill E.]

New to forum!

........ I will be keeping it fairly stock for now to keep it historically intact for future resale. Then again, may do axles and tires at a later date to match Jeep. .....

First off, Welcome to the ExPo forum!!!

I also wanted to keep my M416 to be able to be returned to 'historically intact', yet have it match the Jeep(s) ride height and looks.

I managed to make fender extensions to cover the aftermarket wheels and MT style tires, fabbed an extension for the landing leg to match the spring over height, and do the spring over (pulled the backing plates for the parking brake, and rolled the axle shaft 180* and under the springs, then bolted the backing plates back on in the proper orientation)

I'm in the (slow) process of rebuilding a '46 CJ2A, and plan on returning the trailer to stock once the 2A is done and ready for 'parade duty'

My Trailer Build

And some more great reference for M416's and other small trailer builds (great for ideas!)

'Collection of trailer Builds'

Enjoy your new trailer!

[Kflash]

Now you all have me thinking...as happens with most new projects!

Probably gonna flip the axle. As far as I can tell, here are the steps - please correct me if I am wrong and fill in the gaps.

Jack stand trailer frame
Wheels off
Remove 6 bolts from back of hub area to axle
Unbolt U bolts
180 degree and flip of axle
Rebolt U bolts
Transfer hub assemblies to oposite sides - Am I correct on this to keep parking brake working?

Questions - It looks like the shock is at a sever angle with the bottom mounting point now on the top? Is the shock really doing anything in this position?

Is the parking brake adjustment simply a reset of the tension by adjusting at the J bolt?

Thanks

[Mark Harley]

These trailers just scream EXPO! they are small and build well.

In August there is the Bantam fest in Butler Pa. There should be plenty of ideas there.

http://www.bantamjeepfestival.com/


My favorite 416 thread :http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...o-behind-my-CJ

and I like this JEEP tailgate also the matching wheels and paint

[DonBeasley]

Now you all have me thinking...as happens with most new projects!

Probably gonna flip the axle. As far as I can tell, here are the steps - please correct me if I am wrong and fill in the gaps.

Jack stand trailer frame
Wheels off
Remove 6 bolts from back of hub area to axle
Unbolt U bolts
180 degree and flip of axle
Rebolt U bolts
Transfer hub assemblies to oposite sides - Am I correct on this to keep parking brake working?

Questions - It looks like the shock is at a sever angle with the bottom mounting point now on the top? Is the shock really doing anything in this position?

Is the parking brake adjustment simply a reset of the tension by adjusting at the J bolt?

Thanks

It's been a while but I will chime in and see if my old memory is right.

I believe all you have to do is unbolt the backplate, rotate axle in place 180 degrees, put it below the springs, reverse u-bolts, put shock plate on top of springs, and bolt the hub assebles back on the same side they came off of. You will now have the axle in springover mode and the brake assembly still on the top of the hub. it is not as hard as I am making it sound.

Because the cable connection is now lower, the j hook assembly will not work in its current state. You will need to make a few extensions and make the J hook a little longer to make it work correctly. Mark has listed the link to my build. You should be able to see the extension work in there. I will review the thread today to make sure. If not just drop me a note and I can send you pictures.

I started out thinking restoration but as Mark says, these trailers are an overlanders dream. Hard not to just make it a total expo rig. If you look at mine, I can put the axle back in spring under, take the lid and tongue box off, cut the angle iron off the round tube and it is back to factory.

JUST CHECKED MY THREAD. PICTURES ON POST #68 MAY BE OF SOME HELP.