Hi, it's been a while since I've posted in this section, but thought you might like to see what I'm working on.


On Saturday I picked up an old compact pickup bed trailer ;D. They guy I bought it from is not sure the exact year it's from, but I'm thinking it must be 1984 based on research I did. So for a 27 year old truck bed, it's in really great shape. There is very little rust and nothing severe. The paint is not too bad, but I plan to eventually repaint it.

Other work planned is to build a top that will hold a roof top tent, bikes, kayaks, etc. Install a locking box on the front to hold rescue gear and eventually a battery for additional electrical.



Had to wash it as it has sat in the guys yard for 4 years, so was filled with leaves and dirt.


The hitch area seems like it needs the most work as some of the work was not great and there is more rust here. They also took the short cut rout and just cut all the brake & fuel lines, so I'll need to remove all that. I plan to remove the bed to make that work easier as well as install a new 3500lb trailer axle.




The bed is almost perfect, there is just some surface rust where the leaves and dirt had been piled up.


It needs new tail light, which I've already found online for less than $50


When I get the new axle I'll make sure the hub is 5x5 to match the JK so that it has the same wheels all around. I'm also getting new tires in 2 weeks, which I'll keep 3 of the old ones to use on the trailer. With that I think it will sit level with the JK.

Lastly, my big find for the day. Found this at the Mesa Swap Meet. I'm going to make a receiver for this so I can swap between the Pintle and a ball as I need both. I'll obviously replace the existing ball coupler with a ring.


First day of build is now complete. Spent most of the day removing all the old components and leftover stuff, like brake lines, old electrical, a bunch of brackets, part of the fuel hose and the fuel pump. Not sure why some of that was not removed before, but in all pulled off about 30 lbs of stuff. I picked up new shocks and ordered the new axle.

I also began the body work, by sanding out rusty spot and hitting them with Rust-Oleum primer. I decided that instead of painting the body to match the Jeep, in case I get a new Jeep down the road in a different color, that I would get some colored bedliner to paint the exterior. I searched and found Grizzly Grip which I can get colored tan and they have a fine texture that would not be very rough for the outside, but will hold up to a lot of punishment.

Lastly, I noticed that the tongue is not straight, so I'll need to fix that eventually as well. Looks like something hit the passenger side of the tongue and bent it a little.

A couple pictures, not much to show for the day.

 

very nice! way to reuse things it keeps the price down as rigs like your thinking run in the big big bucks looking forward to seeing the final result im sure it will look awesome

 

I am very curious as to what you will end up with. I am looking at doing this same thing (or at least building a trailer of some sort) in the next couple months. Good luck!

 

Got a lot done this weekend.
Finished the interior and bed lined it, then I got the top built.



Still need to get the latches on, install a set of shocks to help lift it, add a seal and paint it, but overall it came out better than I thought. It will be plenty strong to hold gear on top.
I'm camping next weekend, so will not get anything done, but the following weekend should get the exterior painted, install the new axle and it should be ready to go for testing on the devil's Highway first weekend of March.

 

Everything has been delivered or at least will be in the next couple of days. This week it's all about finishing the top, painting the exterior and installing the new axle and wheels. I should have it ready for a road test Sunday afternoon, trail test the following weekend.

 

Huge day today, late so I'll post pics tomorrow.

Installed new leaf spring
Installed new shocks
Installed new axle
Installed new wheels
Painted the exterior
Installed new Max Coupler
Started on electrical

To do tomorrow:
Finish electrical
Install lights
Install rack system for roof top tent
some minor clean up and touch up
Road test

Monday go to get the inspection and plates.

 

Got to get some pics up after your all done interested to see how it turned out, I am also doing the same type build, just haven't had time to work on mine at all since I bought it.

 

Here are the latest pictures. I still have a few things to finish, most notably another latch and the rack for the top as well as finish running the electrical.





Trail pics to come after this weekend.

 

Well, basically finished it up today, still a few small items, but nothing that would stop me from taking it on the trails.






The Roof Top Tent seems to be really nice quality and can't wait to try it out.

 

Thats a really nice build. I am about to start to work on a utility trailer. It has a huge center hube. What brand of axle did you go wtih to fit the JK wheels?