Australian Army Willys/Jeep Trailer

[Gojeep]

Originally Posted by Tyvokka

Thanks Gojeep. Looking forward to the newish trailer soon...

No worries mate, glad it is going to a good home and will be towed behind a Jeep.

[Gojeep]

Had a closer look at the section left on the first side and wasn't happy about it.


Only had a few pin holes but cut it all out and will replace the whole section of rail so no old parts left on this side. Floor sections that have pitting under the rail will get replaced as well. Just makes me feel better knowing it will be more sound that way.


Replaced sections that had some pitting.


The reinforcement channel for the shackle mount was thicker than the front spring mount, so I made sure I matched the guage. Probably because there is only two rivets holding it instead of four for the front mount spread over a larger area.


I clean a small area where the plug welds are to get the best penetration.


Started using this right angle grinder I picked up in England for a souvenir to knock down the welds to almost flush. Believe it or not but the discs I use on it were once 9" cut off wheels! Once they wear down to 5" I use them in my smaller 5" grinder until 3" in size, then on this. Fortunately I had saved all these small ones over the years to use one day.


So one whole frame rail completely replaced and half of the other. The remaining original rail is in good condition. Notice the rust holes in the floor though.


I was going to leave the floor for whoever bought it to replace as didn't know if it was going to a restorer or someone who wanted a cool looking camper trailer. Well it just got sold and Sal, (Tyokka) want me to replace the floor for them.


I cut it out along with the floor braces even though they were still in very good condition. They didn't however fit the new floor profile planned as they were pressed to support the ribs.


My old Jeep gets pressed into service to pickup a brand new checker plate floor guillotined to my specifications.


Even though brand new, any loose scale needs to be removed for the paint to stick well. It killed my wire wheel though and I looked like a echidna with steel spikes implanted into my overalls everywhere!


Out comes the bigger one and nearly finished doing both sides.


Underside gets a coat of zinc so areas over the floor braces etc get protected.

[Tyvokka]

Hats off to you Marcus. You don't muck around do you? lol.

That's so quick from when we discussed about replacing the floor to you doing it and the frame rail as well! Great stuff! Thanks. That thing will be my little fun trailer with 37", James Baroud RTT and a couple of small kayaks.

I'm not used to speedy work or delivery. My engine has taken 5 months so far, 3 weeks and counting to balance. Have been working on the Grand for a couple of years already and there are still quite a few things to complete.. I'm laughing all the way to the bottom of the money pit... Haaa..Haaaa...Haaa.... NOT!

Meanwhile you just do what you do and magic happens! If only I have a smidgen of your skills and concentration.

[Freetripper]

Now I have another thread to subscribe too to see Marcus' fine work. Love the details and workmanship, wish I had a smidgen of your skills.

"Dr says I need a backiotomy!"

[Gojeep]

Originally Posted by Tyvokka

Hats off to you Marcus. You don't muck around do you? lol.

That's so quick from when we discussed about replacing the floor to you doing it and the frame rail as well! Great stuff! Thanks. That thing will be my little fun trailer with 37", James Baroud RTT and a couple of small kayaks.

I'm not used to speedy work or delivery. My engine has taken 5 months so far, 3 weeks and counting to balance. Have been working on the Grand for a couple of years already and there are still quite a few things to complete.. I'm laughing all the way to the bottom of the money pit... Haaa..Haaaa...Haaa.... NOT!

Meanwhile you just do what you do and magic happens! If only I have a smidgen of your skills and concentration.

I had already spent a couple of days making all the replacement parts for the rail so only had to weld them in. Takes longer than it looks if you want it to look right. I thought the floor would only take a couple of days and has taken over a week! I like to do the best I can.

[Gojeep]

The bottom of the front wall needs to be replaced.


I cut the rusty bottom out and replaced it with some steel tubing I had. It will be stronger than the channel that was there before.


Cut out and then folded up some replacement floor supports.


I noticed it was a little out of square so pulled it into alignment with a 4 ton ratchet strap. You have to go a bit over square to account for the spring back when the pressure is off.


The sides bowed out some so left the clamp in place while I measured and then fitted the supports. I am welding them directly to the old ends so its keeps the factory setup. The longer front ones are because the inner reinforcement pieces were left full length so as not to weaken them.


All new supports welded in.


Everything zinc coated before the floor goes in.


Floor fitted perfectly first go! Now to weld it in which will be only done from the underside. Some 250 plug welds!


I tacked in the floor from underneath in a few places before flipping it over some steel trestles. I drilled through the plug holes I had prepared to clean the coating off ready for welding. Then vacuumed all the swarf up so none was left between the supports and the floor.


I moved the trestles around under where I was welding so I could press down on the support pushing the floor hard against them. Started in the centre and worked my way outwards from there. Never work from the edge to the middle as can end up with excess metal and a bow. Just got the very front joint to fully weld now to finish off the floor.

[rustynuts]

Wow man. You are a ledgend. And off to good home. Then your Jeep ?