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New To Me Bantam

Discussion in 'Jeep Trailer Tech' started by Fireball, Dec 20, 2020.

  1. Dec 20, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    I just picked up a 1947 Bantam T3-C from @MOP. Fun to find another member who lives nearby.

    MOP found the very rust-free trailer and did a bunch of work on it about 10 years ago. It's in great shape and I feel lucky to have it. We'll put it to good use around the property moving wood, dirt, gravel, fence posts, and the like. Although likely towed behind the quad more often than the Jeeps.

    Pics:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    With the spare removed, it just clears the basket on the quad. Took the wife and dogs for a ride to get the mail:
    [​IMG]

    It's new home in the shop with the Jeeps:
    [​IMG]

    I'll update the thread as I do some work to the trailer. The small list of projects:
    • MOP has a swappable hitch setup on it. I'm going to make a slightly longer dropped hitch for use with the quad while keeping the current one for Jeep towing.
    • My wife isn't a fan of the red, so I think we'll paint it the darker M38-style military green.
    • I'm thinking about some spray-in bedliner to protect the inside.
    • I want to figure out a better latch/chain setup for the tailgate.
    • I need to make a hitch setup for the '68 CJ so I can tow it with one of the Jeeps.
     
    Stakebed, Downs, melvinm and 9 others like this.
  2. Dec 20, 2020
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,193
    Man...I worked for years to get the matching red Jeep and trailer - and it just falls into your lap!

    Save the red!

    ;)
     
  3. Dec 20, 2020
    Maddevill

    Maddevill Member

    Shingletown CA
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2019
    Messages:
    96
    Aww man, I misread. I thought we were talking about Batman.

    Mad
     
    Fireball likes this.
  4. Dec 20, 2020
    Ohiowrangler

    Ohiowrangler Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Newark, Ohio
    Joined:
    May 29, 2019
    Messages:
    270
    How'd you make the wife ride in the trailer? Ron
     
  5. Dec 20, 2020
    5foxes

    5foxes '74 CJ5

    Dayton, Minnesota
    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2006
    Messages:
    139
    Line it if you want to, save the red!
    Use it up.
     
    Fireball likes this.
  6. Dec 20, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    Hah, she wanted to be with the dogs instead of me.
     
    dozerjim, Ol Fogie and ITLKSEZ like this.
  7. Dec 20, 2020
    Ohiowrangler

    Ohiowrangler Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Newark, Ohio
    Joined:
    May 29, 2019
    Messages:
    270
    I think we married the same person. Ron
     
    Fireball likes this.
  8. Dec 20, 2020
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

    Southern...
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2019
    Messages:
    1,765
    If it had been me, I would be the one in the trailer riding with the dogs. I am the one usually in the '' dog house'' !!
     
    Fireball and Ohiowrangler like this.
  9. Dec 20, 2020
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

    Southern...
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2019
    Messages:
    1,765
    Yeah, I would agree the trailer need to match your jeeps. Maybe paint the fenders a different color just for a little contrast.
    Just my 2 cents worth. The main thing is fix it up just like you would like it, looking forward to seeing what you come up with.(y)
     
  10. Dec 20, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    Ok, Ok. Maybe I'll leave it red. It's the wrong shade of red though. As I recall, there's a rustoleum red that's pretty close to Jeep President Red. Maybe I'll throw a thin coat of that over the existing color.
     
    Boyink and Ol Fogie like this.
  11. Dec 20, 2020
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

    Southern...
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2019
    Messages:
    1,765
    I know that I am good at spending other folks money, but I think it would look cool if you could find a pair of those white spoke wagon wheels like the ones on your jeep and some white letter tires of the same brand and tread design. Even if the tires are a smaller size. Cool match.
     
  12. Dec 20, 2020
    5foxes

    5foxes '74 CJ5

    Dayton, Minnesota
    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2006
    Messages:
    139
    I kinda wish I'd painted mine red, but I'm good with what I've got.
     

    Attached Files:

    • 74_3.jpg
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    Fireball likes this.
  13. Dec 21, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    I actually want to put some stock white steelies on the Jeep. Then I could paint the trailer wheels to match. I have a set of wheels lined up in the Seattle area, but haven't traveled over there due to Covid.


    Did some work on the trailer tonight.

    First was really work for the quad where the trailer will get used the most. I like the 3-way hitches they have for ATVs but the only one I could find with a 7/8" ball is for 2 inch recievers. The quad has a 1 1/4" receiver.

    So hack the 2" chunk off the hitch:
    [​IMG]

    Then cut the 1 1/4" part off a cheap adapter from Walmart and grind some bevels on it:
    [​IMG]

    Line it up carefully:
    [​IMG]

    And weld it home:
    [​IMG]

    After some paint, it's looks great on the quad:
    [​IMG]

    The I used the other half of the cheap Walmart adapter and some stuff I had laying around to build a longer dropped hitch for the trailer. You can see the original one on the floor:
    [​IMG]

    Much more clearance to the quad rack and the trailer only slants down slightly when hooked up:

    [​IMG]

    I also cleaned up the wiring a little bit as there was some corrosion around the ground wire.

    I need to order a 1 1/4" reciever tube so I can make a low profile hitch for the '68 CJ5.
     
    73 cj5, Ol Fogie, dozerjim and 2 others like this.
  14. Dec 25, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    Put the Bantam to use today picking up Russian Thistle along the edges of the fields. Do I know how to have a fun Christmas day or what?

    [​IMG]
     
    73 cj5, 47v6, 3b a runnin and 2 others like this.
  15. Jan 7, 2021
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2004
    Messages:
    1,132
  16. Jan 20, 2021
    txtoller

    txtoller Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
    Joined:
    May 28, 2014
    Messages:
    971
    Looks great, I love these trailers use mine for just about everything!
     
    Fireball likes this.
  17. Jan 20, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    Agreed. It's such a perfect size for projects around the property. I love it.
     
  18. Jul 29, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    Finally have a hitch on one of the Jeeps. Look much better behind a Jeep than the ATV:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  19. Aug 24, 2021
    Buster1

    Buster1 New Member

    Ft Worth
    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2021
    Messages:
    49
    That backdrop, your property... looks beautiful!
     
    Fireball likes this.
  20. Sep 19, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    The original tailgate chains are missing from the Bantam Due to the bed sides being bent and the tailgate mounted too low on new hinges the holes no longer line up:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Instead, it has clips in footman loops. It works, but they are a major pain to operate and you can't suspend the tailgate flat with the bed floor:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I wasn't a fan of the original chain setup anyway since the holes are aligned front to back and the hooks won't really hold the tailgate shut tight. I like the Jeep setup with the angled slots. I had extra chains so I ordered some Jeep chain mounts:
    [​IMG]

    Nobody seems to make the tailgate side parts, so I found some angle iron scrap and trimmed it to size with a cut-off wheel in the angle grinder:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I don't have a mill so I had to improvise the slotted holes. I started by center punching some holes where the slot goes:
    [​IMG]

    Then I drilled 3 holes. The outer holes are the final size but I drilled the middle hole undersized in case it wasn't in line with the end holes:
    [​IMG]

    I used the die grinder to remove the remaining material:
    [​IMG]

    Good enough!:
    [​IMG]

    Surface cleaned up and degreased for welding:
    [​IMG]

    Bed side cleaned up and bracket clamped in place and ready to weld:
    [​IMG]

    Welded in place with my ugly but functional welds. I still intend to sit down and spend a week practicing welding someday:
    [​IMG]

    Bracket on the tailgate welded in place:
    [​IMG]

    Fresh coat of paint drying:
    [​IMG]

    Tomorrow, I need to add some black paint, figure out the needed chain length, and attach the chains.
     
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