M416 Build in Maryland

[Kflash]

Thanks for the feedback (Mark, Bill and Don). The only part to figure out is the measurement for the shorter shocks that would be needed. Other than that, I've got it!

The guy that painted the trailer prior to me painted over everything. Hope the bolts back off the J bolt easily enough.

[Kflash]

From JCWhitney today-New hitch and Hub Socket. Will be packing new axle bearings this weekend.

Finished painting the wheels today as well. The one I wire wheeled doesn't look anywhere near as good as the two new/old ones, but hey - it's only the spare.

Question - want to buy new lug nuts. What version Jeep do they come off of?

[DonBeasley]

I may be wrong on this but the M416 was mostly pulled by the Mutt and not the Jeep, although most parts are off of a jeep. Try looking for lug nuts for an M151. Try Frontline Military Vehicles. If you call them they can verify the correct part.

[Kflash]

Thanks. I ordered the rims and tire tubes from front line.

The large hub socket I got from JCWhitney today was supposed to be 2 1/16, but closer to 2 1/8. The replacement hub nuts are definately 2 1/16.

Question - I dont want to round off the lock nut, but am thinking it doesn't go on that tight. Should the socket I ordered work ok?

[Hill, Bill E.]

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 Not quite, see below
Rebolt U bolts
Transfer hub assemblies to oposite sides
no - Am I correct on this to keep parking brake working?yes-with some mods to the cable brackets

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

On the axle, it just needs to be flipped, so the spring pads still ride on the springs. The left side will still be on the left, right side on the right. (you don't move the axle 'end for end' so to speak, but rather roll it over to mount under the springs)

No need to transfer the hubs from side to side, as the hubs and axle ends stay on the end they are in stock configuration.

The reason for removing the 6 bolts on the backing plate, is to keep the plate's oreintation correct. And the cables for the parking brake will be in the same spot.

The shocks still work, abeit not as effectively as if they are more vertical. If mounted on the existing mounts (for this, you have to swap the plates left to right/right to left) it will help control bounce and smooth the ride.

My parking brake cables were tight, to tight to use the stock mounts on the tub. I made some drop brackets, and they worked great.

Parking brake stand off:

[Squatchout]

Nice trailer. I like the axle flip idea. But a drop pintle hitch works just as well for matchimg ride height. That's what I did when I towed mine behind my old Powerwagon. These things have plenty of ground clearance stock. Put me in the camp that says stay with stock wheels and tires. It might not look as bling but functionally these work just fine. I've been running mine on the stockers for over 20 years for work and play. I also feel those old bias ply "grave diggers" in good shape are much tougher than most radials when it comes to cuts ect. I've never had a flat on mine. I recently picked up a spare rim from a member here and will mount an old tire as a spare. I've already worked out a simple mount so it will sit vertically on the tongue but still give me room to use the brake and lash points.


Unlike many things military, they got these right a long time ago. If it ain't broke don't fix it! My .02

[Kflash]

Man - lesson learned.

Ask if the guy at the tire shop has ever mounted a tubed tire before having them start. They guy that mounted mine sure haden't. All well in the end, but sure wasn't quick. Balancing was out of the question for this shop. Maybe it is just what they take, but I was sitting a 6 oz on one side and 2.5 on the other. Didn't want that much weight hanging on them. Will run them and see what kind of ride I get. None of the other tires have weights...we'll see...

The painted gloss black rims and new tires look awesome!

[DonBeasley]

LOL!!!!!

Yes and his brother works at the auto repair shop and keeps staring at the carb on my old truck and trying to figure out what it is.

These guys were not even born when we ran tires with tubes in them.

1/2 pound of lead per tire! That should be a big help.

[Squatchout]

When I bought new tires for mine 2 years ago the shop explained that these are tubless rims. He explained the military just used tubes anyway. I had always run tubes in mine prior. We mounted them tubeless and they've been fine running tubeless. No problem balancing either. For stuff like tubes it's best to find a shop that deals with medium to heavy trucks. They are more likely to not be taken back by your request.

[Kflash]

Received a few parts from Front Line Military and Army Jeep Parts...

New chains with authentic hooks - Ones that came with the trailer had been cut and had different hooks added. Now I know why! These hooks are massive. They fit in the ports on the Jeep's hitch (barely), but interfere with the locking pin for the hitch. I think I'll go with some big heavy duty carabieners or chain links to hang them from.

New Chains.jpg

The tires are mouted and are a great match to the Jeeps ProComp steel rims.

Mounted Tires.jpg

The part I was excited to receive was the new lunette. The trailer had a welded on ball hitch mount (welded to the stub of the original lunette that had been cut off at the hoop). May be quieter when towing, and surely wouldn't have required the expensive pintle hitch from JCWhitney! Just isn't an M416 without it!

Lunette.jpg

I plan on getting up early on Saturday to redo bearings, races and shocks. Slap on the new wheels/tires. Pop in the lunette...and go for a drive!

Should be all ready for inspection - but far from finished!

I have worked out a deal with another member to sell his stock M416 lights. Really like the look of the milspec lights.