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'48 Willys Trailer Build.

Discussion in 'Jeep Trailer Tech' started by Rollbar, Sep 13, 2013.

  1. Sep 13, 2013
    Rollbar

    Rollbar Minister

    Florida
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2005
    Messages:
    404
    I'm going to build a trailer out of the rear of this Willys. I am also thinking of keeping the rear axle there for now.

    Question, can I get electric brakes for this wheel/diameter ?

    I was thinking about adding brakes (don't really need to) to help on some down hill adventures.

    What do you think ?

    Thanks,
    Jim

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  2. Sep 14, 2013
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    That's a shame. Wish I was closer. That a pretty nice body by east coast standards.

    Not sure if you could get electric brakes, or surge brakes, adapted to that axle or not. I've not heard of anyone doing it. Probably wouldn't be hard to slide a regular trailer axle under it, though that's not the way you want to go. I see no need for brakes on it, really, unless you're going to haul bricks in it.
     
  3. Sep 14, 2013
    Rollbar

    Rollbar Minister

    Florida
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2005
    Messages:
    404
    Agreed it is a shame and in great condition as I understand cause I use to live on the East Coast.

    I have two and the other one is in excellent shape. Only one vin for a title so....... I'm in a dilemma on what I can do.

    It will look sweet though and a regular axle w/electric brakes would be easiest.

    I can still sell the front cap.


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  4. Sep 14, 2013
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    If the existing hydraulic brakes are functional a surge brake system would probably be easiest.


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  5. Sep 14, 2013
    Rollbar

    Rollbar Minister

    Florida
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2005
    Messages:
    404
    That is a thought.

    I was given what looks like a 20 gal H20 tank off a camper. Should work. We will have to build a box for it etc for the front of the trailer.

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  6. Sep 15, 2013
    Old Doug

    Old Doug Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2011
    Messages:
    67
    The places around here that build trailers can order you a axle exactly like you want. If you were closer i would build you a trailer for the jeep body. I hate to see it cut up but its yours to do what you want.
     
  7. Sep 16, 2013
    Rollbar

    Rollbar Minister

    Florida
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2005
    Messages:
    404
    Thanks, Ya I hate to cut it up but no takers on it. This goes against all my Jeep thinking over all these years but I guess I need to do it.
     
  8. Sep 22, 2013
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
    Joined:
    May 30, 2006
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    1,918
    have you tried getting a title for it? might be easier than you think. if its not hard in NY it cant be hard in nevada
     
  9. Sep 22, 2013
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
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    I don't know about Nevada but some states are extremely hard if not impossible to get a title for an untitled vehicle.


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  10. Sep 26, 2013
    Rollbar

    Rollbar Minister

    Florida
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2005
    Messages:
    404
    Well the process has begun. I need to buy some 3/4" box tubing to wrap around the front so it will look like the rear corners.

    Going to use a J-10 skid plate for the hitch deck or part of the front's enclosure across the front. I also have a Waggy hood that I can use across the front to fill in if needed, and it has braces I can possibly use, we will see.

    Stay tuned.

    Question-should I weld the tub to the frame or use my 1" daystar BL mounts I have ? Nothing matches up w/this CJ5 frame so I might just weld it-not like it's going anywhere.

    Jim
     
  11. Sep 26, 2013
    Rollbar

    Rollbar Minister

    Florida
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2005
    Messages:
    404
    I'm also toying w/the idea of an I-beam (or ?) coming off the front w/a hitch on the end.

    My thinking is tight turns / backing up in a trail make it easier and not jackknifing the trailer as easily.
     
  12. Oct 3, 2013
    Rollbar

    Rollbar Minister

    Florida
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2005
    Messages:
    404
    Frame is cut and angled in. Front bumper used for rear bumper. Bought a front hitch 2".

    Buying some 3/4" square tube to try to match the back corners etc.

    Pics later.


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  13. Oct 4, 2013
    Rollbar

    Rollbar Minister

    Florida
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2005
    Messages:
    404
    '48 Willys trailer being constructed to date.

    Using some 3/4" .095 square tubing and metal for the front to make corners to match the rear etc.

    2" ball and will add a 1" DayStar body lift (have in stock).

    Used front bumper for rear bumper.

    After I get it mocked up I will tare it down and paint etc.

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  14. Nov 30, 2013
    Rollbar

    Rollbar Minister

    Florida
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2005
    Messages:
    404
    Ok trailer welded up and the metal work finished. Now to pull the tub and POR-15 the frame/underside of the tub.

    I did notice yesterday that the rear yoke does not spin. Maybe the PO removed the ring gear when he was building the Willys. I'll pull it to see what's going on. I don't want to lose a tire/axle down the road (it hasn't moved yet).

    I also need to remove some spring leafs out of the pack-to bouncy.

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  15. Nov 30, 2013
    Rollbar

    Rollbar Minister

    Florida
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    Dec 27, 2005
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    404
    Thanks Howard. I'll the-post the ad.

    Sorry bout that,
    Jim


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  16. Nov 30, 2013
    ojgrsoi

    ojgrsoi Retired 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
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    Very cool.
     
  17. Dec 1, 2013
    F Bill

    F Bill Member

    Abilene, TX area
    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2006
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    274
    Welding the sheet metal to the frame will cause stress points that are prone to cracking down the road. Rubber mount it same as original. Edit: Oops, I was answering a question on page one and didn't see page two. Might even consider using springs on the bolts holding the tub down if you plan on a lot of washboard road use.

    Might want to look into a Postal jeep front axle to lighten up the running gear. Or, just purchase a Dexter axle from redneck Trailer supply if you want brakes still.
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2013
  18. Dec 1, 2013
    Rollbar

    Rollbar Minister

    Florida
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2005
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    404
    I have a daystar 1" BL to put under it-should work.

    I'll have to look into the axle. The pinon does not turn on the axle now, so either the PO of the axle took the ring out or ?

    I'll have to look.
     
  19. Dec 2, 2013
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Just an observation - be advised that a trailer that short will be a bear to steer in reverse, especially behind an early CJ. (I built a very short trailer for my own jeeps.)

    The trailer geometry will act faster than the CJ steering can react, and it can be tricky at any more than a very slow creeping speed. Tends to jack-knife rapidly.

    Cool project, though.

    As for the VIN, in my state for a vehicle over ten years old no title is needed. Homemade trailers are issued a VIN number tag.

    Good luck.
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2013
  20. Dec 2, 2013
    Rollbar

    Rollbar Minister

    Florida
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2005
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    404
    Thank you-I will have a '85 waggy steering box on the Jeep so that might help.

    I took the measurement off my other trailer w/the same tongue length that I pull w/the CJ8.

    Should work, but if not then I can cut the hitch off and add a piece of "I" beam for length maybe.

    Thanks again,
    Jim
     
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