With a family of 3 and 2 dogs I decided that I needed a better way to haul gear than over loading the roof rack. After some investigation I discovered that people were modifying old military M416 trailers for off-road use. This looked like a good option for me. Trailers that a specifically built for off road use are usually well over $6000.00 which is way beyond my means.

It took me about a year to locate a basic M416 here in Colorado Springs. The one I found already had a new 3000lb axle with 6 on 5 1/2 hubs installed. I was able to purchase this trailer for under $1000.00 and my project was underway.

Even thought this project is well underway, over the next few weeks I will be adding posts detailing the work that I have completed on the M416 to get it ready to tow behind the FJ Cruiser.

The modifications that I have made are listed here with links to those post as I write them:

• Cleaned and Painted the frame
• Added tailgate to tub.
• Painted the Tub.
• Painted inside of tub with bed liner.
• Converted hubs to metric lugs.
• Added LED Tail lights and maker lights
• Mounted LP Tank on front of trailer
• Replaced the spring shackle pivot bolts.
• Added fender flares to accomidate wider tires.
• Fabricated brackets to hold small amo cans behind fender on side of tub.
• Extended jack stand to accommodate lift.

Still to be completed:

• Add water tanks under tub to help ballast the trailer.
• Add 2 2.5 gal fuel cans in front of fenders.
• Consider adding built in roll out kitchen.