My '52 M100 Trailer Build

[en480c4]

Well, I had a productive day today...

First, a word of warning. While I have no issue of the quality of the Crown springs I got from Quadratec, they are not directly compatible if you're going to keep the c-shackles. The shackle end has an extra insert, which is probably perfect for a modern shackle, but results in too small an opening for the c-shackle. We were able to drill out the insert, and while the 3/4" bit didn't survive., the opening fit perfectly once the insert was gone. Anyway, on to today.

Got the new suspension components assembled and tried spring-over. Everything went together well, but once we measured up the lunette position with a level trailer, it put the hitch up into my spare tire. It was at least 3-4" too high to work. So we managed to pull everything apart, re-mount the springs and go back to spring-under. This put it it just about perfectly in line with my hitch, so I should be able to make it work.

We also fit up my repaired lunette and it looks great. It really is very stout, and looks great. Unfortunately the swivel part of the landing leg was hacked to remove the hole to secure the leg in the down position, so I'm considering replacing it. And I'd like to make an extension to give it the extra 3-3 1/2" I need for it to sit level when it's stored.

And I'm still not sure what to do about the back. The panel cuts are pretty ragged, so I'm not sure how well it can be welded back together. Right now I'm leaning towards sandwiching the cut with an inner and outer angle and thru-bolting it for now. That way I can take my time deciding my long-term plans, will restore the stiffness to the back of the tub and can get it on the road.

Finally, a bit of an issue with the paint. I'm finding some bubbling/flaking of the primer over the some of the old paint that wasn't fully removed. We're not sure if it was humidity/moisture related, or if some of the stripper used inside the tub for paint removal caused the problem. So it just means some additional prep will be required before final paint on the tub.

Pictures...

All set:



The lunette:



Tucked away until we can work on it again:

[en480c4]

So, question for those who have worked on these and didn't blast to bare metal...

Has anyone had issues with the original paint having a reaction with new primer (standard or self-etching)? I'm at a loss for why I'm having some issues, and when I mentioned my problem, someone told me that the original OD green doesn't always play well with others. I'm hoping this is just an old wive's tale, but I wanted to ask before redoing the prep and trying to prime again.

Thanks for the input.

[en480c4]

So, I have a TrackRack available to me for free. My father doesn't need it for his Ranger anymore, and it was just sitting around. Long-term I'd like to build a nice hinged lid for the trailer, with supports for an integrated rack. But for now, it could be really nice to have a rack, and he's offered his. We would mount the adjustable tracks in the bottom of the bed, and I could have the rack in when needed, and remove it when I didn't need it.

He mocked it up for me, with the bars adjusted to one side so I could see how it might look. They'd have to be trimmed if I decided to go this route.





Thoughts? Anyone have strong feelings about the added utility of the rack with the uncovered trailer? I'm on the fence. It could be very useful, but it also looks a little odd with the supports so close together. But since they're removable and could add a ton of versatility, it might be worth a shot.

[jeepfreak81]

So, I have a TrackRack available to me for free. My father doesn't need it for his Ranger anymore, and it was just sitting around. Long-term I'd like to build a nice hinged lid for the trailer, with supports for an integrated rack. But for now, it could be really nice to have a rack, and he's offered his. We would mount the adjustable tracks in the bottom of the bed, and I could have the rack in when needed, and remove it when I didn't need it.

He mocked it up for me, with the bars adjusted to one side so I could see how it might look. They'd have to be trimmed if I decided to go this route.





Thoughts? Anyone have strong feelings about the added utility of the rack with the uncovered trailer? I'm on the fence. It could be very useful, but it also looks a little odd with the supports so close together. But since they're removable and could add a ton of versatility, it might be worth a shot.

I would go for it, I had a similar setup using a Thule "Rapid Railing System" for awhile and it worked great. Even better if it is free!

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[en480c4]

A nice day today working on the trailer.

After looking at the poor job the PO did cutting out the back of the tub to make a tailgate, I realized it would be all but impossible to weld it back in. And since I didn't really want to spend $100 on a replacement panel, I decided to use some 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 1/8" angle and 1/8" x 3" and 2" bar stock to tie the corners back together. After some careful measuring and cuts with a nice metal blade on the miter saw, some careful drilling and getting things lined up, the repair came together. It will still need to come apart to get prep and paint, but it's nice to see the tub whole again. And I like how it looks. The back of the tub is stout, and it should serve me well.



So while it still needs paint and I need to wire up some lights, I put it behind my JKU and took a spin around the block. I could barely tell it was behind the Jeep, the pintle and NDTs were quieter than expected and it looks great. The hitch looks a little low, with about a 3" rake to the front, but the springs are new, so I'm guessing after some use it will drop a bit and look a little better. The other thing that worked out well was the extra 4" I added to the lunette when I had it repaired allows the tailgate to open completely with the trailer hooked up. This will make access for gear (and the dog) much easier.





I'm hoping to get my Sahara Tan paint this week. Then it's just a matter of painting the tub, getting final coats on the chassis/tongue, wheels and fenders, wiring up the lights and getting a license plate mounted up. I'm very happy with how things have come together. And my father's help in prepping the tub has made a huge difference in getting this done as quickly as it has with everything else I have going on.

[Mark Harley]

Matching tan paint will look great!

Are Matching wheels in the future too?

[en480c4]

I'd like to, but that will require swapping the axle to account for the bolt pattern, tire/rim width and offset, and probably getting custom fenders for coverage. AEV makes some large center bore wheels that would match, but with a bolt pattern that matches the trailer, but it's not worth it if I can't share the spare. I'd also have to reconfigure the lunette since I'd have to go spring-over if I were to matching 35's, and that didn't work with my current hitch height and interfered with my spare. So maybe some day, but between work around the house and the trailer build, the coffers are dry at the moment!

[en480c4]

Well, here's an updated pic. The plus of storing the project with my parents... My father likes to keep busy, so yesterday he got our work from Friday cleaned up. Remove a piece, clean an prep it, clean and prep the tub behind it, reassemble and paint. I'll be building my harness this week, and my tail lights and Sahara Tan paint should arrive this week as well. Hopefully I'll get it wrapped up on Labor Day and it will finally be on the road!

[en480c4]

One step closer... It's legal!



And the paint, tail lights and 4-wire harness that I'll build from have all shipped. So I should be able to wrap it up and with one more day's efforts and hope to be towing it home on Labor Day!

[Mark Harley]

I hear maine is easy to get trailer plates?
I may go this route with my M116A2 trailer