PDA

View Full Version : Ted's XTrailer



Ted_Z
06-15-2009, 08:28 PM
Edited to update cost breakout (as of 8/9/2009):



Total cost to date: $508

$100 TJ body and frame
$40 partially usable TJ rear clip
$23 scrap metal
$8 spring hangers
$20 Tailgate
$10 Tailgate hinges
$9 Ball Coupler
$0 springs/shackles
$157 trailer axle with u-bolt kit
$9 lights
$6 spring perches
$25 TJ flares
$22 trailer tongue storage box
$45 2 Used 33X10.50 Tires (50% and 25% tread)
$34 Wheels (Soft 8's that match my ZJ)
Original post:

And so it begins...

So I actually found a cherry TJ body in town for a reasonable amount. That's where my good luck ended. I went to pick it up on Saturday. I asked the head dude at the JY about moving the TJ out of the row of cars so I can chop it half. Boss tells loader driver to move it so I can get the body. I tell the driver again that I'm after the body so please be careful. Either the guy was being a dick or just an idiot, but he f***ing nails the jeep's back corner with the fork and knocks it off the stands. :mad: I nearly walked out of there empty handed until I realized that its just a trailer, not a show car. Because of the new dents I got the price down to $100.

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/2262/0613091504.jpg
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/2876/0613091504a.jpg

I also found another TJ at a different yard that had been rear ended. Too bad since I would have been able to use it to close the front, but as is I'll be able to use it to stretch the above body to a more reasonable size.



http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/9189/0602091812.jpg


Here's an example of what I'm after for an end result.

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/2046/jeeptrailer20029nometa1.jpg


Another score: I got a free camper shell that I should be able to cut the roof off and use it as a lid for the trailer.









Things required for the build:

Trailer axle (got a quote for $160 shipped from abctrailerparts.com, woot!)
Springs & shocks (I'm looking for some stock CJ or YJ springs)
Tires (I need another 33X10.50 or two 33x9.50)
Tailgate (I might just fab one up)
Landing Gear
Lights (LED's would be cool, but not really needed)
Coupler (I'm looking at the "Lock-n-Roll" but will start with a 2" ball)
Flares

canadian_driver
06-15-2009, 09:41 PM
cool, lets see more

friscokidd
06-16-2009, 02:52 PM
more more more more more

Varkyl
06-16-2009, 03:15 PM
What's wrong with the trailer you already have? As it is it might flow during river crossings if it isn't very loaded down.



http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/2876/0613091504a.jpg

Ted_Z
06-16-2009, 03:52 PM
Quit making fun of my $100 craigslist special. :(

jsteves
06-16-2009, 04:04 PM
That is gonna be sweet!

tank
06-16-2009, 09:22 PM
Would a 2wd xj frount axle bolt under it? i have no idea myself just a thought.

zjrog
06-16-2009, 09:31 PM
I saw the goofs on Truck U TV did this over the weekend... I like the way it turned out, and I expect I'll like this one too...

Gaze
06-16-2009, 11:42 PM
Nice to know a TJ rear body fits snugly in the back of a Patriot! I have one of those too!

Ted_Z
06-17-2009, 10:44 AM
Nice to know a TJ rear body fits snugly in the back of a Patriot! I have one of those too!

What is crazy is that the Patriot seems to have more cargo space than the ZJ, (well unless you pull the seat).

Ted_Z
06-17-2009, 11:00 AM
Would a 2wd xj frount axle bolt under it? i have no idea myself just a thought.

I suppose, but you'd have to fix the knuckles. As it stands I was able to find a true trailer axle with the bolt pattern I need for less than $160 shipped to my door. For that price its not worth messing around with anything else (unless something free landed in my lap).

Ted_Z
06-17-2009, 11:09 AM
I saw the goofs on Truck U TV did this over the weekend... I like the way it turned out, and I expect I'll like this one too...

They posted their "plans" here http://www.tvmechanic.com/PDFS/TjTrailerPlans_503.pdf It looks like they did the typical TJ trailer, take two tubs and split them at the center of the wheel well, and weld them together. This gives you a approx. 4' long box. My plan is to use 90% of the green tub, and cut some bits off the gold tub to make it look more finished. This should give me a 5' long box, hopefully with less fab.

Varkyl
06-17-2009, 03:10 PM
Quit making fun of my $100 craigslist special. :(

Who was making fun? ;)
If you used it as a trail trailer and you ran out of firewood you would have backup! :smt115

It gets the job done does it not? If it does that then it functions perfectly fine. I like your idea for your Xtrailer and look forward to seeing the progress of the build.

Ted_Z
06-17-2009, 03:18 PM
I consider that pile o sh** wood trailer to basically be a free rental. I paid $100 for it, and I'm sure I could resell it for that again. In a few weeks when I don't need it again, bye bye. I could also strip the lights and landing gear and keep title from it and then toss it.

In other news I found a cheap CJ tailgate (hurray for craiglist). I'll post some more pic's this weekend when I do the tailgate conversion (straight forward).

K2
06-18-2009, 04:42 PM
I have some stock YJ springs that might work, I might also have some stock YJ flares. I will look when I get home.

Ted_Z
06-19-2009, 11:52 AM
I have some stock YJ springs that might work, I might also have some stock YJ flares. I will look when I get home.

Thanks for the offer, let me know.

In other news I picked up a CJ tailgate. It fits perfectly, thankfully Jeep never changed the tub opening dimension. This worked out great since I wanted a drop down tailgate any way. I just need to get the hinges installed.

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/4326/0618091849.jpg

Ted_Z
06-19-2009, 06:15 PM
Ok, minor update:

I picked up some scrap sheet metal steel and aluminum plus some 1x2 tube. I also found some spring hangers.

Ted_Z
06-21-2009, 12:53 PM
Another minor update:

I picked up a pair of tailgate hinges off eBay, $10 shipped. I also got a 2" ball coupler, on sale for a whopping $9 at harbor freight. Lastly I scored some freebee YJ springs, I think they are procomp 2.5" lift springs, came with some monster shackles.

The original plan was to SOA the axle with stock springs, I guess now I'll SUA with the 2.5" lift springs and use the lift shackles too. Nice thing is I don't have to worry about pinion angle or spring wrap with a trailer axle.

Made some progress on the gold donor body I successfully removed the floor to graft into the green body. I had to drill out a bunch of spot welds, but it wasn't too hard.

I removed the roll bar off the green body despite those damn torx bolts! I had to drill 6 of the 10. If you need a TJ roll bar let me no, I don't have any use for it.

Springs:
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/7594/0618090735.jpg


Drilling out the spot welds:
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/306/0620091548.jpg

OverlandXJ
06-21-2009, 01:14 PM
:popcorn:


I like your plans. Any ideas for a parking brake or will you be using a chock?

Ted_Z
06-22-2009, 10:13 AM
If I had the original axle I would have kept the parking brake. But with an aftermarket axle its wheel chocks, and the tongue jack.

Mtn WJ
06-22-2009, 11:28 AM
Ted,

Nice project. I think you did the right thing on axle choices. You will save weight and increase ground clearance. Keep in mind you will not be able to finesse the trailer around obstacles like you will with the Jeep. The axle clearance will be a big plus..

Ted_Z
06-23-2009, 04:12 PM
I ordered the axle, u-bolts, spring perches and lights from ABCtrailerparts.com. $172 shipped. That's a great deal if you ask me since the best local quote I got was $185 for just the axle before tax.

Total cost so far is $377. I might actually pull off my $500 budget if I can find some cheap flares and tires.

A couple new pictures below. I cut the front section of floor out (where the e-brake handle was) and mocked up the new floor to be grafted in.

I haven't decided what to do with the "pockets" on either side of the new floor section. I could leave them, cover them up and make the floor level, or graft in the other inner fenders and create some cubby holes and put a access door on the outside.

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/6311/0623090807.jpg
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/6224/0623090809.jpg

canadian_driver
06-23-2009, 08:34 PM
i like the door idea

K2
06-23-2009, 08:56 PM
I am sorry I took so long. I found a set of YJ flares. I know the fronts are different, but I am pretty sure the rears are the same. They are yours for whats remaining of the $500 after the tires. ;)

BigDaveZJ
06-23-2009, 09:19 PM
I'm working in Northglenn about 5 minutes away from Ken's place if you want me to run those down for ya Ted. PM coming your way after I talk to Pam too about those tires on CL.

Ted_Z
06-26-2009, 01:30 PM
I cleaned up the build thread a bit.

I'm down to the final stretch on the parts procurement front. I found some rear TJ flares for $25 and bought a storage box for the tongue (big steel ammo box). If I can find some tires, I'll just have to finish the actual building part. Looks like I'm going to blow my budget by $100 when it’s all said and done, but $600 for a nice trailer still isn't bad. I've got Saturday laid out for a build day, should have some more pic's soon.

Ted_Z
07-02-2009, 05:07 PM
My axle showed up at my office today. It a good thing I warned the receptionist that it was coming. Everyone was like WTF. Its rated for 3500 pounds, 62" wide, 5x5.5 pattern. What surprised me was how light the axle is, less than 50 pounds. I guess the brakes, gears and shafts add a lot to a standard axle.

I also got the floor extension in and started closing in the front of the TJ body.

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/120/0702091137.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/8338/0627091801.jpg

Ted_Z
07-07-2009, 06:30 PM
Well I've about given up trying to find some good used narrow 33's. (Craigs list people are idiots.)

So I picked up a pair of 15x8 soft 8's to use rather than the 15x7 d-windows I had planned on using. I can fit 33x12.50r15's on these new wheels plus they match my ZJ's wheels. Well another $30 spent, but I should have better luck finding tires.

Bort62
07-07-2009, 08:09 PM
Ted,

Where did you order the axle from?

Thanks.

Ted_Z
07-08-2009, 10:58 AM
http://abctrailerparts.com/axles.html

Bort62
07-08-2009, 12:29 PM
Thanks, are you happy with them? I had looked at what they had previously.

Any reason you picked the 3500 over the 2000?

Ted_Z
07-08-2009, 12:50 PM
Thanks, are you happy with them? I had looked at what they had previously.

Any reason you picked the 3500 over the 2000?

The axle looks great, I'm very happy dealing with them.

The 3500# axle has larger bearings, larger spindle and axle tube. The 2000# axles will not hold up to off road abuse. Also the the 3500# lets you have 5x5", 5x5.5" and 6x5.5" bolt patterns.

Bort62
07-08-2009, 01:25 PM
Thanks! I guess that settles it for me then.

97TJGUZZY
08-03-2009, 12:52 PM
trailer is looking good, these things are great for camping. we finished ours in may. I like how yours is a bit longer, one of the tubs we were working with was in pretty bad shape, so we didnt get much out of it.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs109.snc1/4632_657209185488_12701760_38442341_7471672_n.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs193.snc1/6496_668550916568_12701760_39001025_4766982_n.jpg

Ted_Z
08-08-2009, 12:05 PM
Great looking trailer there! I've read your build thread, good stuff.

Ted_Z
08-08-2009, 12:20 PM
Being unemployed allowed me a build day. I made some good progress.

Pulled the body off the frame.
Cut off the unused brackets off the frame (going with leaf springs).
Notched and bent the frame for the tounge.
Banged the dents out of the body (turned out ok).

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/52/0807090953.jpg
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/4134/0807091641.jpg
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/6545/0807091633.jpg

Ted_Z
10-05-2009, 07:28 PM
Sorry I haven't updated in a while.

I got the spring hangers welded to the frame and the pearches on the trailer axle. Got the frame rolling and I thought I had reached a mile stone until I realized I put the front spring hangers 4" too close to the rear (I misread my notes). With any luck I can cut them off and reuse them, fingers crossed. The shackle angle is all screwy as it is now.

zjrog
10-05-2009, 11:49 PM
I love these TJ/YJ tub trailers... How about something different?

I had a parts XJ I cut up and gave the back half to my buddy...
http://www.secretsquirreloffroad.com/download/file.php?id=180

And this is what he came up with...
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/scthenderson/Trail%20Trailer%20build/DSC_2032.jpg

He has some finish work yet, but the top is on and hinged, and I watched it rolling down the highway at 70MPH and rolling down a bumpy twisty trail. Looked good, carried a ton of stuff and apparently tows nicely... And yeah, its a little different!

Ted_Z
10-25-2009, 10:54 PM
Some frame pic's from a few weeks ago (finally got them off my phone camera). Despite the spring hangers in the being correct location now, the shackle angle is still off. I'm hoping it settles down once there is some weight on the frame. As it sits now the frame is all most level with the tow hitch, maybe 2-3 inches higher. Once I get the tub back on the frame I'll be able to tell if I need to pull a leaf out of the pack or start looking for some different springs.

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/1357/1007091323.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2964/1007091324.jpg
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/6448/1007091324a.jpg

Ted_Z
01-24-2011, 03:59 PM
Installing the water tank.
http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/4776/img20101229160732.jpg

Closed in the sides, threw on some bondo.
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3309/img20101008154844.jpg

I know its been forever since I updated my build. I'll put some more pics in the near future. I did add trailer brakes to the axle.

Mtn WJ
01-24-2011, 05:38 PM
I like the water tank location.

Looking good.

K2
01-24-2011, 10:08 PM
Do you have a skid for the water tank?

Ted_Z
01-26-2011, 12:34 PM
I plan to add one, but didn't have any plate on hand.

K2
11-05-2014, 11:46 AM
Back from the dead:

Do you have finished pics of this somewhere? I was trying to describe it to my dad.

Ted_Z
11-05-2014, 01:37 PM
Here you go :)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sAgMncO-OpE/VFa5itgGpDI/AAAAAAAAGqk/IX7DSY4RV9g/w1185-h889-no/20141102_160350.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-30gk1Ip2Yc0/VFa5kgMMIxI/AAAAAAAAGqw/1PpdwJ-QO2I/w1185-h889-no/20141102_160400.jpghttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-68e__cVhr7E/VFa5oc7wblI/AAAAAAAAGrI/tOsG5qXtgJ8/w1185-h889-no/20141102_160422.jpghttps://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Za3sWo77CPQ/VFa5sTcFMMI/AAAAAAAAGrg/5QgMFXjgsx8/w1185-h889-no/20141102_160846.jpghttps://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eL8itdGArZs/VFa4UH8ddCI/AAAAAAAAGqU/3Q9GacmNYcI/w1185-h889-no/20141102_160338.jpghttps://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lM_vKADtJp8/VFa4OhNWDAI/AAAAAAAAGp8/O9uMw46KYk0/w1185-h889-no/20141102_160316.jpghttps://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I5JUKApAFJA/VFa4RVxCB_I/AAAAAAAAGqI/ju4Mbiow-lk/w1185-h889-no/20141102_160325.jpg

K2
11-05-2014, 09:45 PM
Thank you sir.

JohnBoulderCO
11-05-2014, 10:13 PM
It's just collecting leaves in your backyard. You should sell it to me. :)

K2
11-06-2014, 12:35 PM
I have dibs!

black_zj
11-06-2014, 02:05 PM
If you do ever decide to sell it make sure you list it on expedition portal to get top dollar for it, guys would go nuts over there for a matching Jeep trailer.

Ted_Z
11-07-2014, 07:43 PM
I keep going back and forth as to if I should keep or sell it. Plenty of time invested. My wife doesn't feel safe taking my ZJ out with the kids, so the trailer will never get used for its intended purpose (unless I ditch the ZJ and get a more tame rig). In the mean time I built a smaller trailer on a HF trailer frame (http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f27/mini-harbor-freight-type-trailer-ultimate-build-up-thread-1180456/index120.html#post24558498). I towed this behind my Jeep Patriot without any issues.

I was thinking about asking $1500 for the trailer above, with all the extra stuff (electric water pump, tonneau cover, full size spare, etc). I'd like some feedback as to if that number is reasonable.

BigDaveZJ
11-07-2014, 08:34 PM
Mine never even left my backyard this year so I know the feeling.

Mtn WJ
11-19-2014, 10:50 AM
Ted, great looking trailer with nice features.

I need to finish up my folding trailer set up. I have a HF folding trailer. I set it up with removable sides and plan to build a custom fit type tarp/cover. I have a heavier axle for it and for now just some larger 12 inch wheels/tires. I planned to go with larger wheels but I already had the 12s so will change wheels when I see a deal. I used to have a pop up that I lifted and made several mods to it. It was pretty cool, but with the age of my kids now and that I like camping on the trails I use Tent Cots. I will still use them with the folding trailer for longer camping trips with larger groups. Otherwise I am very happy just using tent cots and carrying the gear in the Jeep.

I really wanted something I can use around the house for my many different projects like home improvement, car parts and even landscaping. It folds up and I store it behind the garage on a cement pad.

Kraqa
02-01-2015, 11:26 PM
i've always thought it would be cool to build a trailer using chevy 1/2 ton IFS parts. then a boat electric trim tab adjuster to steer the trailer from inside the cab of the truck.

Ted_Z
02-02-2015, 10:46 AM
Being able to steer the trailer would be handy for those really tight spots. That said I'm not so sure I'd bring the trailer into those situations. It's mostly a base camp trailer.

K2
02-07-2015, 03:02 PM
Fore sale yet? :)

Ted_Z
02-12-2015, 04:36 PM
Come and get it!

K2
02-12-2015, 05:01 PM
Text me a $.

K2
04-20-2015, 11:34 AM
Well, it is sitting behind my ZJ now. Ted totally hooked me up on this, thank you Ted, this trailer is awesome! I have a some plans to finish a few of his projects and add a few of my own. I had it up to 70mph on the way home and followed great behind my Pathfinder. The ZJ and GSW are priority one, after that I hope to work on this a bit. Home built max coupler (http://tventuring.com/trailerforum/thread-65.html), mount the spare underneath, mounts for solar and add a rack for a RTT. Thanks again Ted.

Ted_Z
04-20-2015, 06:29 PM
I look forward to seeing what you can with it!