96XJ9705
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- California
Ok, figured I'd put this on other forums enough and saw this thread area and figured I'd share what can be done for those who want an M416 but can't find one or who don't have 1200.00 to buy one.
Anyways, I picked up an M101a2 3/4 ton trailer from govliquidation. Out the door I'm about 450.00 poorer (had to drive a ways to get it) but I have a solid frame and box to start with. What I found is that taking the box off and turning it over exposes a lot of extra cross members on the box. Using a grinder to cut the welds carefully and a hammer to knock the cross members loose I got it lightened up a lot. Then cut the bottom out to the shape I wanted (4.5' x 5.5'), flipped it over and cut the welds to release the sides. I then cut 15" off the front of the frame and 15" of the back of the frame, moved the front and back cross members in and rewelded them. Then placed the box (modified) back on and tacked it down.
This is not mine, but close enough.
The first picture is the original trailer and the second is the modified. I've since added the original sides back on (cut to length) and will be adding the front on. Because I want tires to match the jeep I'm going to replace the axle (couldn't find the right hubs) with a 3500lb model instead of the 5k model that it comes with, redo the pintle hitch/A frame area, add some round LED lights, and weld in some material as a rock slider/deflector for in front of the tire. Lots of work to go, and I'll have to take more pictures as I go.
Anyways, I picked up an M101a2 3/4 ton trailer from govliquidation. Out the door I'm about 450.00 poorer (had to drive a ways to get it) but I have a solid frame and box to start with. What I found is that taking the box off and turning it over exposes a lot of extra cross members on the box. Using a grinder to cut the welds carefully and a hammer to knock the cross members loose I got it lightened up a lot. Then cut the bottom out to the shape I wanted (4.5' x 5.5'), flipped it over and cut the welds to release the sides. I then cut 15" off the front of the frame and 15" of the back of the frame, moved the front and back cross members in and rewelded them. Then placed the box (modified) back on and tacked it down.
This is not mine, but close enough.
The first picture is the original trailer and the second is the modified. I've since added the original sides back on (cut to length) and will be adding the front on. Because I want tires to match the jeep I'm going to replace the axle (couldn't find the right hubs) with a 3500lb model instead of the 5k model that it comes with, redo the pintle hitch/A frame area, add some round LED lights, and weld in some material as a rock slider/deflector for in front of the tire. Lots of work to go, and I'll have to take more pictures as I go.
