My '52 M100 Trailer Build

[en480c4]

So, after much searching, I found the trailer I'm going to build. It's a '52 Dunbar M100 that had moved on to Forest Service duty, and then onto a local FD. It popped up on a local GSA auction sale, and after watching it for a week, I missed the closing of the auction. Luckily for me, it was too small for the auction winner, who then picked up an M101A1 instead, and the one I wanted showed up on Craigslist. Even though it looked rough from 5' away, it looks better the close you look because most of it was failing paint. It's not perfect, and it certainly won't be after this phase of the project. But my goal is to get it road-worthy and cleaned up for utility use, and then move onto prepping it for adventure/overland use.

Day I brought it home. I wasn't sure how road-worthy it would be, so I borrowed a trailer to tow home my new trailer!



The hacked-in tailgate. I'll be having a friend weld the panel back in. Because it was cut at the corners, the tub has no real stiffness. So for now I'll keep it welded in and could re-modify it at a later date.



Progress with the 40 grit orbital sander:





Limited filler and some self-etching primer on the tub. Hammered underneath. And some black on the frame/tongue/rails/fenders to see how it's going to come together. Not pictured is the axle and spring plates cleaned up and painted with hammered.



That's where it stands right now. Orders have been placed for the following:
- Leaf Springs
- Shocks
- Shackles
- U-Bolts & Nuts
- Pivot Bolts
- Brass Bushings
- Herculiner for the bed
- Paint from for the fenders/frame/tongue
These should be arriving this week, allowing for limited re-assembly.

I've also picked up a new lunette ring end and will be sleeving the original cut lunette and the new end and having those welded up to create a new lunette. I've spoken to the guy who is going to do this, and is confident that he can do the appropriate pre- and post-heating to safely and securly weld the sleeve to the drop-forged lunette. The plus with this is I can keep the pintle hitch but can also go slightly longer to improve handling and reversing of the trailer. I'll probably go from an overall lunette length of 20" (stock) to 24" or so.

The last thing I need to order up is the paint. I'll be getting the rattle cans mixed to match the Sahara Tan color of my '12 JKU.

The parking brakes are likely shot, but I'm not going to worry about that at this time. I'll keep chocks for now, and address the brakes at a later date. The handle is pretty well seized up, too. But I'm sure that can be rehabbed when I address the brakes.

I'll update as things progress. But so far, so good.

[Mark Harley]

Nice! Spring over and matching wheels in order?

[en480c4]

Thanks!

Phase 1 will stick with the stock wheels & tires. I'm on the fence re: spring over. I think the new springs will do wonders for ride height since the stock ones were thrashed. And measurements before the teardown looked like hitch and lunette heights might be perfect, despite the lift in the Jeep. I'll likely pre-assemble for final checks before pulling it back apart for final paint. So worst case, I could switch to spring-over at that time.

Phase 2 may include the wheels and tires, but there are width issues I don't want to have to address right now. I also would have to address the bolt pattern, which would contribute to adding cost and/or width.

[en480c4]

It appears I'm ready to go!

[Mark Harley]

Christmas in July!

[92Runner]

Looks good! About to pick one up myself! Where did you find the parts if you don't mind me asking? Lookin foward to seeing this build!

[en480c4]

Small parts and shocks are from Walck's. Their stuff has always served me well. Springs are 8 leaf and are from Quadratec. They were about half the price of those from Walck's and I couldn't justify the difference. The M100 shares many of its suspension parts with the front of an M38, so the flat fender parts work well. And since I have AEV wheels and will be adding their bumpers, I'm using their touch-up spray front fenders, frame and tongue to tie everything together. Just need to get the spray cans of Sahara Tan mixed up!

[92Runner]

Awesome thanks for the info! Do you know if it's true that samurai front springs will fit too? I have 3" springs at work for Samurais and need to run a 37" tire on the trailer. What are the plans for your build?

[TacoDell]

subscribed...

me ~n~ muh '53

[en480c4]

Your '53 build was definitely an inspiration. It's a great thread. I wish I could weld so I could close up some of the holes added over the years. But for Phase 1 at least, I'm very pleased with progress and how far it has come.

I picked up my repaired lunette from the welder today. He was able to find the right weld material to be able to sleeve the existing cut lunette and the Valley 69930 lunette ring with a round HSS sleeve. With some careful pre- and post-heating, it came out great. And best of all, he used it as training for one of his welders, so he didn't charge me! I ended up going with a 24" overall length, which is 4" longer than stock. It should give me just a bit more clearance with the Jeep's tailgate.



I'll be heading up to my folks' Sunday to do some pre-assembly. And then we'll get everything ready to weld the tailgate back in and then it should be good to go for final paint and reassembly. I have a few projects to do around the house, so after Sunday I probably won't be getting back to it until mid August, but I'm very pleased with progress so far.