BadDNA's M416 build

Definitely, find some scrap metal and put it to good use!
It just takes some practice and patience.
Try to find similar thickness and type of metal scrap if you can.
Don't forget a grinder goes a long way
Just don't expect to start laying dimes to soon. That's a serious skill that I've been getting better at but much more practice is needed.

 

I've got an entire junker '97 k2500 sitting in the back yard for practice pieces. Body work - check, frame work - check...

One thing I want to practice a ton before hitting the body of the trailer is hole patching. I really like this butt welding technique from Fitzee's, his videos are great and worth a watch (IMO) if you're looking for tips and technique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u31t13QO6A&list=PLW6iSb8vPbYApdBI1JE9DXTo_LDLM99Wj

 

I just figured that if both of you guys, @Skierrichy and @BadDNA shoot for 2030.....I am hoping that one of you guys will get sick of working on it and sell it to me cheap

 

Moved it into the garage to start working on it, now that I'm pretty well set up. Stripping off old paint and undercoating, toying with the idea of moving the axles rearward but I'll probably keep them roughly in the stock location.

 

WHOO! Progress!

 

I even picked up a cylinder of c25 today for the mig. Time to start learning to do this...

 

2 quick questions.......what are you using to strip off all of the paint and what size timbren axles did you go with?

 

Manual stripping with a flap disk right now, but I'm moving to sandblasting when I hit the inside of the frame and the more complex shapes around the tongue. Plan is to give the next coating plenty of texture to bite into.

I'll double check the part numbers when I get a chance, but I think these are the axles: https://timbren.com/i-30497987-2000-lb-hd-axle-less-trailer-suspension-w-4-lift-long-spindles.html
I went with 3500lb electric brake hubs and a bolt pattern to match the truck: https://timbren.com/i-30498041-3500-lb-electric-brake-hubs-6x5-5-bolt-pattern.html
I'm wiring it all up for a 7-pin connector and I'm planning to have battery/solar/water/propane systems built in.

 

I'm going to need to take notes from you soon
I'm still messing with my truck at this point and hopefully get into more trailer mods.
I need a go fund me page

 

Subbed

 

You and me both on the GoFundMe...

Confirmed the parts in my post above are correct. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/baddnas-m416-build.626665/page-3#post-26026621

So I was looking it over last night, and I think what I may try is to box the frame where the axles will mount and weld a plate the width of the frame across the bottom to connect the two side rails. I think that should help, along with the existing crossmembers, to stiffen the frame and give me something to bolt the axles to. The boxed section and plate are roughly illustrated below in black and orange. Placement isn't 100%, it's just a sketch, but you get the idea hopefully.


Another idea that I just had, would be similar, but build the plate in a 'U' shape to fit in the frame with the uprights forming the box sections. Then the bottom of the plate would sit flush with the bottom of the frame. Doing it this way would require a couple of bends, but if I find a decent metal supplier around here, they might cut and bend to my specs for a few buck more than the cost of material.

Then I might look into making an aluminum skid for the entire underside of the trailer that would help keep it from hanging up on rocks and such, but I'll have to see what the clearance looks like first, might be a waste.

 

Looking forward to seeing this thing complete with our axle-less on it!

 

Damn, who knew Timbren was on TacomaWorld, and checking out my build...

 

We have been on here for some time and always look forward to seeing builds like these! Keep it up

 

More paint removal today. Gotta find a way to get my old 30 gallon compressor hooked up in parallel with the big one so that they can maybe keep up with the sandblasting. Gonna go through a lot of media getting this done. I sped through a 50lb bucket and haven't even got halfway through the frame. I'm not opening the sand any more than I have to, but there's a lot of undercoating that just takes time to strip.

 

Beats an angle grinder on round stock sliders.

 

Crap, I totally forgot to take pics for you!
I will send today

 

It's a bit dirty, went to Rausch creek last weekend.
I do have a bit of a slant on the tires (I forgot what it's called) but the angle looks like a /\
To help it track and take corners.
Every time I use it whether it's empty or full I'm always amazed how the suspense just makes it stay on the ground.
Never any issues with chatter or bouncing.
I have even purposely swerved to get a wheel off the ground and it came back down like it was landing on a cloud.
I don't recommend doing this however I like putting things to the test!

 

I forgot this 1.