Expedition Trailer consideration

[Dawg]

IIRC the Adventure Trailers use a trailing arm system with and air bag and shock. Not a bad system for an off-road trailer, independent suspension.

Get rid of the truck axle and weld in some stub axles and hubs w/ a 5 on 4.5" bolt pattern.

Adventure trailer just put there suspension under a M416 they are goint to sell the suspension as a direct bolt on chek it out
http://www.atreport.com/st1.html

 

[Root Moose]

$1200 is a lot of money for what that is. If you have the skills to restore/modify a M416 you'd have the skills to build something like that I'd think.

I'm big on buying stuff to save time but that is just too much money for what it is IMO.

 

[IH8RDS]

So... whatcha do google EXPO?! Good to see ya there. Lots of us over there now.

Yeah. lol It took me a while to find it. I have been to the site a couple years ago, but never registered. Its more in the direction that I want to go nowadays. Thanks for triggering that memory impulse.

$1200 is a lot of money for what that is. If you have the skills to restore/modify a M416 you'd have the skills to build something like that I'd think.

I'm big on buying stuff to save time but that is just too much money for what it is IMO.

My sediments exactly.

 

[OverlandZJ]

Heres a few pics of what i'll be starting with. The original wood bed is gone and replaced with 3/4" plywood and a sheet of aluminum cut to size over that. This will also be removed and steel welded back in.

The tongue and suspension.

I'm surprised how solid this is.

 

[Dawg]

any idea how much it weighs ? Looks heavy

 

[OverlandZJ]

It does LOOK heavy, but it's much lighter than it looks.

 

[Dawg]

then that will work out nice are you going to leave the axel under it

 

[OverlandZJ]

Checked out www.abctrailerparts.com and they list an axle ~60" with 4.5" boltpattern with brakes rated at 3500lbs. But they can also build to suit.

 

[OverlandZJ]

Brought it home yesterday.

I need to give it a lift to sit level with the tongue on the XJ. 4" should be real close. Get a set of 33's to replace the 31's.. and possibly some coil spacers should do it for now.

Fab a set of M-416ish style fenders, clean it up and spray it to match the XJ. Add some crossbars to mount the Overland tent, and call it good for a quick trip to central PA for Memorial Day.

After that i can swap the axle, possibly add airbags for the coils, water/fuel/propane mounts, a hinged lid, etc.

RedHeep... what bolt pattern is on these wheels?

EDIT: Forgot to mention. The track width is just under 2" less than the XJ measured outside of tire.

 

[RichP]

Subscribed.

I'd like to eventually do the same kind of thing with a Comanche bed trailer.

Watch that or you will suffer the wrath of Eagle....

 

[RichP]

Adventure trailer just put there suspension under a M416 they are goint to sell the suspension as a direct bolt on chek it out
http://www.atreport.com/st1.html

HOLY PRICE BATMAN, thats steep.

 

[RichP]

I wonder how well a front wheel drive Dodge aries K car rear axle would work.

 

[Ghost]

Watch that or you will suffer the wrath of Eagle....

LOL! That is a name I have not seen in a while! I wonder how he is?

 

[OverlandZJ]

Anyone know of an OEM coil to lift a TJ rear about 3"?

Looking for replacement coils for the trailer for this season without spending much. I'm considering airbags next winter along with new trailing arms.

 

[RichP]

Anyone know of an OEM coil to lift a TJ rear about 3"?

Looking for replacement coils for the trailer for this season without spending much. I'm considering airbags next winter along with new trailing arms.

Why not acos ? then you can drop them back down again when needed.

 

[OverlandZJ]

The coils attach by rotating the pigtails in a bracket, then "sandwiched" with a bolt and plate inside the coil at the first wrap. No way to attach ACOS or slip in spacers. Need all coil.

I'll take a pic tomorrow morning to better show ya.

 

[XJumpmaster]

Wouldn't a ZJ or WJ rear coil work?

 

[OverlandZJ]

Wouldn't a ZJ or WJ rear coil work?

Thats what i'm asking. I know the guys running these 60-65 Chevy PU's are using TJ coils (and 70 Malibu) coils to lower their rigs about 3". The coil needs the pigtail on both ends.

 

[OverlandZJ]

Typing that i just realized my math error. If a stock TJ coil lowers 3" i would need 6" TJ coil to raise this 3".

I need an OEM coil that i can grab cheaply at the local upull that will raise a TJ 3". If ZJ will work i could easily grab a pair.

 

[XJumpmaster]

I would think they would raise it atleast 2". Aren't ZJs heavier than TJ in the rear? We get 2" of lift on our XJs using ZJ or WJ springs in the fronts, but my logic could be skewed a little.