Right on, I never really considered ditching the axle for a purpose built design. I needed to keep it as cheap as possible. It was a bonus that the old Courier axle had the Toyota lug pattern so I could match my wheels. Ha Ha
Datsun Truck Bed Trailer
- Thread starter 3rd_Degree_Adv
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Enthusiast III
Yeah, I needed to change the hubs out so I can run 5x5 hubs to match my Jeep. It was all around easier (unfortunately not cheaper) to just have a purpose built axle made that fit everything I needed.Right on, I never really considered ditching the axle for a purpose built design. I needed to keep it as cheap as possible. It was a bonus that the old Courier axle had the Toyota lug pattern so I could match my wheels. Ha Ha
nakman
Rank 0
Off-Road Ranger I
Cool project! As has been mentioned before you want the front V of the frame to overlap under the other part of the frame, this will also make the attachment point to your Jeep lower. Do you know what kind of coupler you're going to use? I've done this a couple of times, and I like the Lock & Roll hitch system. I am doing a similar build myself won't mess your thread up here with those details other than try to post a quick screen shot of the front of the frame, for illustration purposes...
You can see the overlap in front... just search utility trailers on Craigslist and you'll see a bunch of pictures, they all pretty much do the same thing- the idea is make the material do more of the work, not so much the welds. hth!
You can see the overlap in front... just search utility trailers on Craigslist and you'll see a bunch of pictures, they all pretty much do the same thing- the idea is make the material do more of the work, not so much the welds. hth!
Steward I
Enthusiast III
Thanks for the info Nakman! I want to run a Lock 'n Roll coupler, but it's not in the budget at the moment. So I'm planning to build it with the ability to interchange the coupler depending on who's towing it or the terrain. For starters it will have a 2" ball coupler as my primary terrain is merely highway and backroads.
Enthusiast III
Got my supplies in to finish patching the holes in the frame. After blowing a few more holes on the inner frame (even with my welder on its lowest setting) I ground the endcap off to get an actual measurement. 0.065, roughly 16-15 gauge, channel is what's welded on the inside. I don't feel like that will be structurally sound enough to tie my frame extension into. The outside channel is 10 gauge, so that'll be fine. Now I'm replanning how to go about building this....
Enthusiast III
Three and a half cutting discs later I have notched both frame rails back 20". What I thought was a setback will actually be a blessing. This will make my frame extension & tongue way stronger. PLUS it won't cost me any extra material! [emoji106][emoji41]
Enthusiast III
Picked up a 20' stick of 2"x4" 11 ga. rectangle tubing and had it cut to lengths for me. Double checked my measurements and cut a few pieces to make them fit properly. Mocked up the new frame extension and tongue. Then took it all apart and welded everything up. I don't have much welding experience, but this little Mig welder with flux core wire does a great job! Tomorrow I'll weld the two frames together, cut and install some gussets on all the corners, and hopefully get the hitch built. I'm really liking how this is coming together so far. 
Enthusiast III
Thanks! Not yet, I'll work on that tomorrow. Today it was just setting on the tubing for measurements and pics.
That sure worked out nicely with the original frame.
I'd be tempted to try buying a lottery ticket.
I'd be tempted to try buying a lottery ticket.
nakman
Rank 0
Off-Road Ranger I
Sleeving the new into the old is genius, man.. that is gong to be bomber when you get it all zapped together. Nice work!
Enthusiast III
Got the frames welded together and the gussets installed. This frame freaking SOLID! 
Influencer III
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Enthusiast III
Now for the hitch. I ran the center joint 32" out from the front of the frame. No, this is not far enough for me to turn a full 90°, but I'm not done yet. I then took a 2" receiver tube and "notched" out roughly 6.5" so that it could set down over top of the 2x4 center frame rail. Once I got that piece setting level, I took a spare piece of the 2x4 tubing and cut a triangle shaped piece to weld in from the bottom of the center rail up to bottom front point of the receiver tube. Once I got all this were I liked it, I welded it all together and it isn't going anywhere! This put my receiver hitch pin hole at 35" from the frame. Once you add the length of the actual hitch (8"-12"), the tongue will be setting at just under 48". 
Enthusiast III
I seriously thought about it! But two factors kept me from doing so; 1) price - that would have cost me another $100 in material, & 2) functionality - I want to utilize the original suspension and change of frame elevation for different aspects of the trailer.
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I also have been kicking the idea of a pickup bed sleeper instead of RTT’s I bought mine at a junk yard and started to build it though a idea percolating in my head I still have a lot to do but it’s fun build till you run out of funds lol. But still fun..
