[DMAC]

Time to start moding the 5X3 box trailer into an offroad trailer.
LTM21 was given this trailer by his Grandfather as he didn't need it any more.

First thing was to remove all the exsisting chasis bits.


Next to make up full length chasis rails and extend the drawbar length.


Lined up rails and glued to box. This took some effort to get right.


Made up a mount for the spare and some jerrycan holders.


This made things so much better.


Front spring perches in place.


Now up to setting the rear shackle angle. Looking for some advice on what angle to set them to. Does this look about right?

[Joe]

Cool good idea with the jerry can holders, i wish i had of done that with mine
Nice safety boots too
What other plans do you have for it?

[89_tintop]

looks good...


this is exactly what i want to make..

[DMAC]

Hinged lid with shovel, pick, and highlift jack mounted on top.

Shock mounts and shocks too.

Toolbox in front of the spare. Possibly another jerry and 4 kg gas bottle mounted at the rear.

Rear recovery points. All needs to be ready within 2 weeks.

[shep]

i would make the shackle 90deg to the chassis. then when it is the right way up
and the trailer is loaded the shackle will have less chance of inverting.

[DMAC]

shep wrote:

i would make the shackle 90deg to the chassis. then when it is the right way up
and the trailer is loaded the shackle will have less chance of inverting.

Thanks Shep. I was thinking along those lines. The springs are front sierra springs too. Got them reset.
Inversion shouldn't happen as I'm going to set the shackle mount in some 50X50 extend it back so the pivot can't go over centre.

[tombutt]

looks good mate looks simliar to the plans i have for mine when i get time to fix it and not work on the vitara

[IN2DEP]

Keep the pics coming mate, this is what I want to do later on with my trailer

[rick1970]

May wanna think about putting some plates over the joins in the chassis/drawbar as well.

[DMAC]

rick1970 wrote:

May wanna think about putting some plates over the joins in the chassis/drawbar as well.

Yep thats happening fish plates made ready go in.

[Joe]

Any updates for today?

[xedent]

Wow good work, i want a zook trailer lol.

Nice safety boots also!

[zukenutter]

Looks like a cool build. Water tank? Colour to match the Sierra?

I think you may find the Sierra springs to be a bit too soft. It will sway a lot but nice on corrugations.

[DMAC]

zukenutter wrote:

Looks like a cool build. Water tank? Colour to match the Sierra?

I think you may find the Sierra springs to be a bit too soft. It will sway a lot but nice on corrugations.

Colour match.

When I got the springs reset I got them to put in a 4th heavier spring as they suggested. I can't recommend Mayne Spring Works enough. Mine was a small job but they more than willing to take the time and understand what the springs were going to be used for. Turn around 1 day.

I did go for softer as shocks will be used. Hopefully they will go well on corrugations.

No updates for yesterday but today hopefully all suspension completed and treg hitch attached.

[christover1]

NIIIICE

[DMAC]

Found the saftey boots.


Welded in the rear spring perch. LTM21 starting to lay down some nice welds. Using gassless MIG wire. Heaps better than the weld below.



Top shock mounts 6mm 50X50 no need for crush tubes here.



2 rear recovery points. 5mm plate with 12mm hight tensile bolts.


Rolled the sucker over. Probably added a good 60kgs to the weight of the trailer.


Happy with the angle of the shackles. Just past 90 with no load.

For tonight fit the hitch.
Fit the shock mounts.
Tighten up all the suspension.
Add some flat bar tot he side of the jerrycan holders.
Finish the latch for the jerry holders.

[zukenutter]

Sweet! I don't think you'll be breaking the spring eye.

[scorpydude]

How do you get that all so rounded and smooth? I'm a metal fab noob...

[atari4x4]

i'm guessing flap disk?

[trity]

looking flash mate

[Joe]

Awesome

[DMAC]

atari4x4 wrote:

i'm guessing flap disk?

You would guess right.
Although I rough it with a skinny cutoff wheel at 45 degrees, hit with a grinder, and finish it off with a flapper disc.

[31zook]

DMAC wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

i'm guessing flap disk?

You would guess right.
Although I rough it with a skinny cutoff wheel at 45 degrees, hit with a grinder, and finish it off with a flapper disc.

oh yeah, them are the rules i live by

your gasless beads are looking good

[DMAC]

Last nights efforts.

Shackle angle at no load.


Attached the hitch.


Atached jockey wheel. Stance from the front looks good.


Shock mounts are going to be an issue as I don't have a 16mm drill.
Oh well back to the good old hand file.

[want33s]

Good work so far guys... New life pumped into the old girl..



RE: pic above of Treg hitch...
Whenever I fit a nut/bolt vertically, I always try to have the nut go underneath... That way if it ever loosens up and comes off the bolt has a fair chance of staying in the hole... Out in the bush it is easier to find a nut than a nut AND a bolt.


Why did you decide to cut/bend/weld the drawbar instead of using straight lengths? The way I see it straight would be less work and would give a better jack-knife angle...

[scorpydude]

Whats the process with getting it registered? Who inspects it?

[want33s]

scorpydude wrote:

Whats the process with getting it registered? Who inspects it?

In Qld, all trailers under 750Kg ATM are "self assesment"... No RWC needed.

[scorpydude]

want33s wrote:

scorpydude wrote:

Whats the process with getting it registered? Who inspects it?

In Qld, all trailers under 750Kg ATM are "self assesment"... No RWC needed.

LOL That's hilarious. So I could build a trailer and it would be 'road worthy'... trust me, my welds are not road worthy...

[DMAC]

want33s wrote:

Good work so far guys... New life pumped into the old girl..



RE: pic above of Treg hitch...
Whenever I fit a nut/bolt vertically, I always try to have the nut go underneath... That way if it ever loosens up and comes off the bolt has a fair chance of staying in the hole... Out in the bush it is easier to find a nut than a nut AND a bolt.


Why did you decide to cut/bend/weld the drawbar instead of using straight lengths? The way I see it straight would be less work and would give a better jack-knife angle...

The bolt direction discussion took place for the reasons highlighted. Just got towards the end of the night so they will be changed later.

If I had to do it again the straight lenghts would be the way to go. It was difficult to align stuff up this way.

Already registered so no worries there. Only a 400kg trailer though. Tare weight will be about a 250kgs.

[Fatzook]

Looking good!

Can you lower your spare so it sits down into the drawbar? Will give slightly better COG, and heaps better rear vision.

I agree with Jas, straight drawbar lengths would have been better/ easier