Axle Width Questions Bantam T3-C: Updated with Build

[Miamihurr2006]

Amazing. I just finished fabbing my lid as well as a tailgate. Welded the lid on the other day. Some reason the hinges for the tailgate didn't come at the same time so I'm waiting on those.

I wish i had paid to get mine blasted like yours. Instead I used stripper and a pressure washer. Took all but the hardest stuff off. I'm keeping my initial build as cheap as possible. All in cost right now without axle is about $950. $500 being trailer. $135 being steel for the lid and tailgate. $75 for Flux welder from HF. $70 for Herkuliner. $45 for angle grinder. And the rest being stripper, primer, seam sealer, door gasket, hinges, latches and various other items. I plan on having blasted sometime down the road.Need to save money for RTT.

 

[Miamihurr2006]

Have you received the axle yet? I re measured for mine and came to the same conclusion you did. 53.5" seems to be perfect.

 

[MotorMycle]

Been to busy working to post, yes and I definitely would have been fine with shorter but at least this way it'll be more stable on the trail. Camping on Friday, still have to do the lights, wiring, build a rack for the RTT and install it, and figure out fenders. Did I mention I'm also working the next two days? I'll post pics when I can!

 

[Miamihurr2006]

Made any progress on your build?

 

[MotorMycle]

Indeed I have! I've taken it camping twice so far. Currently in Mexico for work but will look forward to getting it out for more camping later this year. I had aspirations of making a build thread, but since this is already here I'll backtrack and go with it.


Here the new floor is in (16 gauge steel) and my kids had started rolling on POR15 bed liner.


After they lost interest I finished.


I was ultimately pleased I went with new springs from Walcks rather than trying to rebuild my old rusty pack.


This was such a proud moment!


Here I'll highlight two things. First, the rack is just angle iron and rectangular tubing with three bolts on each frame rail. I knew I didn't want to weld onto the frame rail with something so low, but was low on time so I found this to be an acceptable compromise.
Second, I'm super psyched on my fender idea. The stock fenders where way way way to narrow so I went to Home Depot to see what I could find. Behold, galvanized window wells for your house, only $20 each! I trimmed like 2" off of each and they fit perfect. I still have to cut off the horizontal bends at the bottom so nobody opens up a shin, but I was out of time and knew to watch out for it. If anyone needs fenders, this might be the simplest solution possible.


Here she is loaded up for the first time! I'll find a more secure mount for the spare but the ratchet straps worked for the two trips.


The ride height is pretty perfect with my CJ7


R2D2 does a great job keeping watch.


I have the Smittybilt XL RTT and it was amazing when I camped alone and still large enough for the whole family when I went camping with them a few weeks later, me, wife, 6 and 4 year old kids, and even our dog. Two thumbs up, no contest in that price range. Kudos to Quadratec for actually having it in stock unlike another retailer that claimed they did, but then said it was backordered after I clicked buy now.


I used to dislike the chrome grill but have learned to embrace it, and for now my galvanized fenders match pretty well!

 

[MotorMycle]

It turns out you can only post 10 pics per post so here's my last one. I found these tail lights on eBay that are the same as the ones on my jeep. For now just the brake lights work but eventually I'll hook up a switch for the reverse lights to illuminate camp as they're pretty bright.

So anyway, that's my build, thanks to the expedition portal for existing and all of you for your help along the way. There's so much knowledge here, it was priceless along the way. Happy camping!

 

[Miamihurr2006]

Awesome. Looks really good. I'm nearing completion of phase one. I'll be able to use it at that point. Finishing up the rack right now. Gonna pick up a CVT Rainer tent on wed or Thursday at their new store in Chattanooga.

I have a few questions.

What size wheel and tire combo did you use?
What is the backspacing of the wheel?
How much space between tire and trailer?
Does your trailer sit level with the original drop leg?

I am wanting to do 33" tires on my trailer to match the jeep and I'm curious if the nose will pitch due to the increased wheel size or if it sits mostly level.

 

[MotorMycle]

I'm using the same 12.5x15x33s that are on my jeep. I can't remember the back spacing but I think I posted it on the second page of the thread. I think I remember 4 inches of space between the side and the tub but will have to wait until I'm home to check.
It does not sit level with the drop leg, unless you use a block or have another solution. I have a receiver on the front and the back that I plug in a trailer jack stand to level it.

Verkstad glad you like it! Haha

 

[Gotopless]

Hitch shoe

View attachment 393444

View attachment 393445

Robert I'll also say thanks for the "shoe" idea for the hitch. I'm also happy it made it a little longer. Harbor freight to the rescue!

I have looked for a “hitch shoe” and nothing comes up. Is there a more technical term? Thanks

 

[MotorMycle]

Had someone message me about clearance so here’s a few fresh (although crappy) photos. I’m still happy with my tire size decision. Having so many spares gives me piece of mind I’ll never be stranded with a flat.

 

[MotorMycle]

I got the annex for the Overlander XL and wanted to do a height test before I build a rack to the wrong height. As a test I moved the RTT onto my Jeep to measure. Seems like 78” should work fine!

 

[MotorMycle]

It's coming a long! One scissor jack isn't cutting it, so I ordered a second. If it shows up on Wednesday I might have just barely enough time to finish it before camping this weekend. Either way I'll be bringing it. It's just a question of whether there will still be bare unpainted metal and welding to finish. I climbed up in it today and moved around a bunch to see if it was stable, I'm happy!

 

[MotorMycle]

Anyone know how this thread ended up in retail models? I mean sure I guess you could have bought the trailer in 1953, but somehow I feel like another section would have been a better fit