Monday 4/2/2012: After work this morning I had neighbors help me lift the tub back onto the frame. It's going back to the fab shop so they can put in the drain holes. On the way, I thought I would stop at DMV and get the Level 2 inspection out of the way and get the replacement title. This is where all crap hit the fan.

I had called DMV earlier last month if it would be an issue with removing the VIN tag since I had to get behind it for the rust. The lady at DMV didn't have an issue with it. Earlier last week, I called again and asked if it would be OK for me to bring it in for inspection with the VIN tag being off of it. Again, she said it was OK. Today I stopped in and the inspectors said it would be OK, but there was a 4-hour wait. A DMV enforcement officer was standing nearby and heard our conversation and saw my VIN tag in my hand.

1st Officer: Whoa! You took the VIN off your trailer? Don't you know that is a felony? We could legally confiscate this trailer and crush it.

Me: What?!? No way, man!

2nd Officer: At the least, we can take your original VIN and destroy it, then issue you a new VIN. Much like a home made trailer.

Me: Man, I would REALLY like to keep the original VIN and TAG. There is a historical importance. This is a M416-A1! There were thousands made but you don't find many of these left in existance! Especially one with an intact VIN! Usually these trailers are sitting at the bottom of an ocean or left on foreign soil. I think it's my responsibility as the restoring agent to keep it all intact! Can't you see the importance of that?

1st Officer: You have to see our side of it. VIN theft is huge. (blah, blah, blah.. for 20 mins).

Me: I documented my restoration. I have pics showing this tag as bring on this trailer. It's all over the web.

2nd Officer: Hmm... bring in that documentation. I will see what I can do. You look honest enough of a guy.

Whew! I may have saved my ass after all! LOL. :p








Well, the hand was feeling better and I was bored so I thought I would get started on some paint and sealer. Adam, my FAB guy installed the drain plugs. I opted for a modern plug because, as nastalgic as it would be to have the originals, I figured one day they will run out of the rubber drain plugs and I would be SOL.



I used some paper tubes to plug the drain holes and applyed my sealer to the seam of the tub floor.




It should take 24 hours to fully cure, then I can apply the spray-on bedliner.

Wednesday 4/4/2012: I spent last night spraying on Plastikote bed liner. I used up the 2 cans I had left over from my 1st trailer. The coat was not thick enough so I picked up 3 more cans. Still not enough, so another 3 cans. I think I finally got it... but only time will tell.

Today, I flipped the tub and started painting the exterior. This matte black kinda reminds me of a chalk board. I'm not totally convinced that I like it. Bummer. Well, I'm kinda committed, since I have 6 cans of it and the have already sprayed on 2 coats. Maybe after 5 coats, I can sand it down a bit and make it slightly smoother.

Now that you have the coats on, just hit the top with whatever you want. Flat, semi, gloss, or another thicker or different texture bedliner.

I've always used 2 coats of the hammered black flat followed by a 3rd coat of black gloss and thought it looked good. My XJ roof rack and front bumper were both painted that way.

Saturday 4/7/2012: Finally!

The paint has cured and my neighbor and I was able to marry the tub back to the frame. We got the fenders back on, mounted the reflectors and Jerry Can mounts, and touched up the shiny nuts/bolts with a blast of paint.

FINISHED!

Thanks to Geoff, Daniel and Michael for the technical, mechanical, and inspirational support. Special thanks to my neighbors who put up with me with the 10pm knocks on the door, which usually followed with, "Hey, can you come over and help me lift the tub on/off my frame?"

The only thing missing is some new tires. I have some time, though. The tires have some cracks. Since they are tubed, I don't have to worry that much. They will work long enough for me to figure out which way I want to go with the tires.

1. Buy new 700x16 NCT and reuse the original rims.
2. Find some "modern" rims and get matching Falken Rocky Mountain ATS in LT225/75R 16.

Then, it will be trail ready. Until then, my unicorn is road ready.






This project has been fun and a wonderful learning experience. It has inspired me to do a little bit more mechanically. Soon, I'm thinking I may have to do a JK RIPP Stage-2 supercharger add-on.

Looks good.

Did I say I was done??? I guess not!

I've been struggling with what to do with the tires. Buy three new military tires @ $170 each? Buy three civilian tires and reuse military rims (and hope the don't leak) @ $120 each? Combine a 1/2" spacer and a 1.5" adapter (5x5.5 to 5x5), replace lug bolts with 3" ones, and use the two spare JK Moab 17" rims/tires I have left over from my first trailer build for $150 total.

Well, I decided. I'm going with matching JK Moab 17" rims/tires. As much as I wanted to keep the trailer as original as I could, I realized that I've already modified it from stock. It has a thicker tub bottom, modified cross members, hydraulic drain plugs, and upgraded shocks. I figured that I'm not going to be pulling this trailer on any parades. It's going to hold my camp gear, gun gear, and eventually will be converted to an expedition trailer.

With this in mind, having matching tires is a big plus. I only need to carry my one spare. There is a small savings on weight. I save $$$ upfront, but will have to spend $440 years down the line when I need to replace the tires with matching Falken ATS (like on my JK).

So, everything is on order. I should have them in hand in 10 days. Then, a final picture of the trailer.

Just outstanding work all the way around, Jimmy. This is a killer trailer build. Well done, sir.

I just reread from post 1. Great progress and write up. That's a killer trailer.

This is my opinion and not a criticism, so please take no offense. The all black looks wrong somehow. Maybe add some gray accents? Racing stripes? Stickers? Yes! haha.

Looks great! I do agree with Virgil on the to much black.. but, with that being said I think once you get the Moab rims on it, that'll break it up nicely

You two are racist. Trayvon!!!!!!

(where's my hoodie)

Color has always been my problem. I'm color blind. so, where were you guys when i was asking for color options? Lol

Sent using Tapatalk from a dark place.

Friday 4/13: Ohhh...!! A spooky day! Not for me. I came home to find 4 new Scepter 5Gal Jerry cans at my doorstep, along with my parts order from Jegs.Com.

To make the original hubs work with my JK Moab rims/times, I had to slightly modify the hubs to accept a bolt pattern adapter. I went to PepBoys and purchased four 1/4" spacers. They are part number: 106031. They are made by White Knight. Sorry, no link on their web site. You'll just have to call them or visit a store. They were $10 each.



Each hub needed two 1/4" spacers to make the hub somewhat flush. The bolt pattern adapter needs that flush spot to fully support the extra weight of the tire. The adapter is also 1.5" thick, so I will get the proper backspacing (hopefully) to mount the tire.



To mount the bolt pattern adapter, I also needed longer lug bolts. That's where Jegs.com came in. I ordered two sets (10 total) of 1/2-20 in 3" lugs. Part number: 65111. I found this info on another forum. They were a perfect fit.




It's funny. The new lugs has a warning on the package that reads, "Do Not Use With Wheel Spacers!". LOL. Also, the spacers I purchase from PepBoys has a warning that reads, "Not For Off-Road Use."




My 5x5.5 to 5x5 1.5" adapter should arrive on Monday. Assuming I have enough backspacing, this part of the project is done.

Next step: Custom top, accent paint and/or graphics.

Looking good James.

Today I'm sitting at DMV enforcement on Broadway in Tempe. Hopefully they wont crush my trailer and let me walk away with a titled/registered trailer.

Stupid me, I pulled the data plate off during the restoration process and now I'm getting grief from it.

2ndchance wrote:Today I'm sitting at DMV enforcement on Broadway in Tempe. Hopefully they wont crush my trailer and let me walk away with a titled/registered trailer.

Stupid me, I pulled the data plate off during the restoration process and now I'm getting grief from it.

RUN!!!! that place is pure evil. They caused me soooo much grief on my TJ. Took it to the DMV on Greenfield and 60 and they had me done in 30 min with no grief at all

Why don't you just take it to Desert Title? I NEVER go to the DMV...for anything.

I don't know who is Desert Title. I have never had a problem with DMV before. Today, it was a nightmare. I'm still not finished.

I had the level II inspection in Tempe (was there for 1.5 hours). Went back to DMV in Glendale (2 hours there). Went back to Tempe because I they forgot to give me back my Driver's License (75min round trip) . Found an insurance agent for the bonded title, but they could not finished because their East coast office was closed. Stopped by Michael's store to get my Bill of Sale notorized. By then it was 4:30pm and I was freakin exhausted.

I will have to resume this madness in 2 weeks when I return from my travels.

On the good side, I got my JK wheels installed.

Desert Title is a third party "dmv". They do everything the normal DMV does, but it's faster, easier, and no lines (usually).

Ah. I just looked them up. They don't have a location close to me. They sure DO a lot. Once stop shopping! I will have to remember them next time.