My Bronco and matching Cactus Gray M416 overlanding trailer custom build

[Murph914]

@SigSauer226

I’m thinking of swapping the hubs on my trailer to go from 15” 5 lug to 16” 6 lug to match the bronco and mount matching badland wheels and & tires.

Curious if you thought about going all the way to match?

little nervous how an empty trailer would bounce around back there.

edit: saw someone ask you why you didn’t and you already replied cost and scale. Fair enough, but I bought this trailer because swapping the hubs is only $200. Not crazy ( other than the wheels / tires).

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[SigSauer226]

@SigSauer226

I’m thinking of swapping the hubs on my trailer to go from 15” 5 lug to 16” 6 lug to match the bronco and mount matching badland wheels and & tires.

Curious if you thought about going all the way to match?

little nervous how an empty trailer would bounce around back there.

edit: saw someone ask you why you didn’t and you already replied cost and scale. Fair enough, but I bought this trailer because swapping the hubs is only $200. Not crazy ( other than the wheels / tires).

Yeah I really did consider it. I went back and forth. I thought about buying Bronco wheels but I have a Sasquatch. Prices were over $1000 for wheels and tires. Biggest thing for me was that I would have to change the hubs or axle and then they wouldn't fit under the fenders so I would have to extend them and move them and I don't think I have room to accommodate 35's. The tires I got equate to about 30.5 and I only have about 2 inches clearance. I would have had to do a spring over axle swap and that adds more consideration like welding on spring pads to make it correct.

I am also on some overlanding forums and a few guys said in the end it wasn't worth the cost for something they've never needed. Another guy said the M416 is light enough that even with a flat you can limp out. I also went with modern radials so I can plug a tire on the trail.

I ride side x sides and ATVs. I've only punctured a sidewall twice and both times I was going crazy around a turn and slammed a pointed Rock. My fault. I don't see myself doing that with this lol. I anticipate I'm more likely to get a tread puncture and I can patch that on the trail. Actually both sidewall punctures I patched on the trail too and both held up. In fact I'm still riding on the one on my ATV. I know you're not supposed to but I did and it's been fine.

Point is after weighing cost and mods it wasn't worth it for me but I totally understand why guys do it and I'm all for it if it works for you. I am looking for a cheap steel wheel to mount a cheap spare on in the meantime.

 

[SigSauer226]

Plus, I really like the original wheel look with the Falken tires. They're both black so they look similar.

 

[NJRoadkill]

Yes please let me know where to go! Lol im definitely checking these out. I'll let you know if we head that way.

On Facebook;
NJ Overland Group
NJ Broncos
Bronco BABES

also;
AOAA
Rausch Creek

 

[JLendo18]

Crushed it. It looks awesome.

 

[Burgler2112]

So, I'm finally done with the first stage of my first overlanding/camping/kayak trailer. Never had a Jeep, my Bronco is my first true off road vehicle and I love to camp. When I learned about overlanding it amazed me. Too bad I live on the east coast! Anyway, here is my build.

I started with a Vietnam era (I think, might be earlier) M416 Army trailer. This is what it looked like when I bought it. Cost me $225.

Took a chance with the damage but it's going to be used off road. Won't hurt so much when I scratch it lol. Got the dent taken out best I could for $100.

Stripped everything down to basic parts. Stripped paint and rust and I redid the wheels with new bearings and races.

Then I degreased and scrubbed everything and prepped the metal with etching solution. Next was to coat everything with POR-15.

Then I painted the trailer with Raptor Liner. I did a two tone color scheme, matching cactus grey for the outside and black for the frame, bed and fenders.

Then it was time to put everything back together. I got the original wheels powder coated black and mounted a set of 215/85/16 Falken Wildpeaks on them. They are basically the same size as the original 16x7.00 tires.

Assembled everything and I even got the original hand brake working again! I love this thing. I installed a bed rack. For now it's going to hold my kayak and canoe but eventually I want to add a roof top tent.

My future plans include a box with battery, solar panels and lights. Maybe a refrigerator and compressed air. Also want to add a water tank with some kind of kitchen setup that will fold down. Maybe some recovery tools. I'm open to ideas as this is my first attempt.

Trailer: $225
Fix dent: $100
Wheels and hubs: $60
Shocks: $70
Raptor liner and paint: $220
LED lights: $60
Rack: $120
Tires: $430
Misc parts and hardware: about $100

Total: $1385 and a lot of sweat!

Totally a fun project and I can't wait to use it!

Where did you score an M416 for so cheap???

 

[Burgler2112]

Bergen County

Nice. I’m originally from USR, but now I’m down in Colts Neck.

 

[LOSTXGOLD]

This is probably one of my favorite posts.
I plan on doing the same thing!

 

[Amubu]

So, I'm finally done with the first stage of my first overlanding/camping/kayak trailer. Never had a Jeep, my Bronco is my first true off road vehicle and I love to camp. When I learned about overlanding it amazed me. Too bad I live on the east coast! Anyway, here is my build.

I started with a Vietnam era (I think, might be earlier) M416 Army trailer. This is what it looked like when I bought it. Cost me $225.

Took a chance with the damage but it's going to be used off road. Won't hurt so much when I scratch it lol. Got the dent taken out best I could for $100.

Stripped everything down to basic parts. Stripped paint and rust and I redid the wheels with new bearings and races.

Then I degreased and scrubbed everything and prepped the metal with etching solution. Next was to coat everything with POR-15.

Then I painted the trailer with Raptor Liner. I did a two tone color scheme, matching cactus grey for the outside and black for the frame, bed and fenders.

Then it was time to put everything back together. I got the original wheels powder coated black and mounted a set of 215/85/16 Falken Wildpeaks on them. They are basically the same size as the original 16x7.00 tires.

Assembled everything and I even got the original hand brake working again! I love this thing. I installed a bed rack. For now it's going to hold my kayak and canoe but eventually I want to add a roof top tent.

My future plans include a box with battery, solar panels and lights. Maybe a refrigerator and compressed air. Also want to add a water tank with some kind of kitchen setup that will fold down. Maybe some recovery tools. I'm open to ideas as this is my first attempt.

Trailer: $225
Fix dent: $100
Wheels and hubs: $60
Shocks: $70
Raptor liner and paint: $220
LED lights: $60
Rack: $120
Tires: $430
Misc parts and hardware: about $100

Total: $1385 and a lot of sweat!

Totally a fun project and I can't wait to use it!

Great job! Looks well done, I'm in the process of doing a squaredrop build with my m116a3 trailer. Glad to see another east coaster getting involved in the overlanding sport.

 

[Gtrekker]

I did a lot of searching for several months and was patient. I think I got lucky on the price because nobody wanted to touch that dent. I knew I wasn't going to spend $2000 on a project so for me $225 was worth the gamble. Even with the dent, I wouldn't have worried. This way any damage that comes on the trail doesn't hurt as much lol.

I did a quick search and this is about as reasonable as I can find right now:

http://www.vintagemilitarytrucks.com/jeep trailers.htm

I got mine on Offer Up, but I searched Craigslist, eBay, Facebook marketplace and regular Google searches. Search M416, M100, M101, Jeep military trailer, 1/4 ton military trailer, etc.

There is a civilian version of the M100 (basically the same thing but with round fenders) that I know is sitting in Paterson, NJ. I talked to the guy the week I bought my trailer. It looks decent but I didn't do a deep analysis.

When I first saw the guy he immediately said it's not for sale. Then he told me to make an offer. I told him I just bought one and that they were pretty popular with the off road community. I told him in good shape they can go for over $1000. He said damn I was gonna let you have it for $300 lol. It's still sitting there and not being used. I think he would probably take around $500 for it. But he's never there. I pass the shop every week and I've only seen the guy once.

Nice, Patterson not far... Would you be able to set me up with contact info? DM if you like.

Thanks for the write up n info...

 

[SigSauer226]

Where did you score an M416 for so cheap???

Offer Up. Got lucky because it was damaged. A tree fell on it. Took a chance, it's not perfect but I'm ok with it

 

[SigSauer226]

Nice. I’m originally from USR, but now I’m down in Colts Neck.

Nice!

 

[SigSauer226]

Great job! Looks well done, I'm in the process of doing a squaredrop build with my m116a3 trailer. Glad to see another east coaster getting involved in the overlanding sport.

Very cool can't wait to see it. I was looking at those too

 

[JD8]

Looks great! Congrats and have fun with it!

 

[SigSauer226]

Got it out to Stokes State Forest last weekend for a test run. Nothing fell off! Even saw another Bronco at the same ground.

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