AT REPORT - SHOP TALK
M416 SUSPENSION CONVERSION
• 4/29/07 M416 MILITARY TRAILER SUSPENSION REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH AN ADVENTURE TRAILERS PATENTED TRAILING ARM, AIRBAG, SHOCK ABSORBER (TAAS) SYSTEM
Scott Lacey, AT's Shop Manager removes the original leaf springs and solid beam axle and replaces them with the Adventure Trailers TASS system. The complete job could easily be done in a weekend by one person, although an extra pair of hands would help.
Our friends Will Morgan and Vance Crowder from Jeep Brokers.com http://www.jeepbrokers.com/roadtrip_2007.htm told us late in February about their trip out East to pick up a 1948 Willy's Jeep and drive it from Georgia to Arizona. Will and Vance wanted to know if after they located his 416 would we retro fit the trailer with our patented suspension system. They had a long trip across country on Route 66 with not much room in the Jeep for more than their tooth brushes!
By mid April Will Morgan and Vance Crowder had located a 416 in good shape and had it delivered to our shop in Upland California. Scott Lacey was in the middle of a full trailer building schedule but was determined to get the trailer ready in time for Will's trip starting May 12th 2007 in Georgia .
The first step was to remove the solid beam axle, and leaf springs. The trailer was then turned upside down and the spring mounts were cut off. With the trailer upside down Scott was able to get a good look at the condition of the chassis which turned out to be in good condition. Scott's next step was to take some measurements along the chassis to make sure it was running parallel and square and then started doing some layout.
The new suspension would consist of a cross member made from 2X3 rectangular steel tube, plates for the trailing arm to pivot from, pivot rods and bushings, trailing arms, upper brackets for the airbag location, airbags, shock absorber brackets, and shock absorbers. The airbags would have 1/4" air fittings and 1/4" air line for inflation.
Once the correct location of the trailing arms had been determined the cross member was welded into place to the outside and underside of the chassis (when the kit form of the suspension becomes available it will be a completely bolt on unit). The trailing arms were assembled and located into the cross member so the exact location for the upper air bag bracket could be marked. The brackets were welded into place. We were lucky with the placement of the original cross members as one was right where the airbag bracket was to be located and the other where the upper shock absorber bracket was to be mounted. Some things are just good fortune and dumb luck!
After fitting the bearings and hubs we refitted the original tires and rims and rolled the trailer back upright. We aired up the air bags to get 6 inches of travel and Scott hooked the trailer up behind his Cruiser for a test run.
When Scott finally got back to the shop he had a huge grin on his face. The trailer modified with the AT suspension gave a smooth ride on the test course and didn't exhibit any of the bouncing or the rough riding the original trailer has shown on washboard and varying terrain.
When Will and Vance get back from their trip and have some spare time we'd like to get the trailer back in for some more modifications.
To find out more about the "Ultimate Road Trip" starting this May visit http://www.jeepbrokers.com/roadtrip_2007.htm
ADVENTURE TRAILERS RETRO SUSPENSION KIT: $1249.00
INSTALLATION FOR M416: $760.00
Other models may vary.