A buddy of mine gave me a tired old M101A1 trailer. At one time it had a generator on it. To suit my needs it needed to be lower and preferably lighter. I'm pulling with a Toyota Tacoma. The big 5 lug wheels, brakes, axle, and generator accouterments had to go. We had some spare Jeep wheels around so I got an axle with 5 on 4.5" bolt pattern hubs. I mounted the axle above the springs instead of under. I had to remove two of the seven spring leaves or get longer (more expensive and hard to find) U bolts. I also lost the shock absorbers The bolts in the front of the chassis were replaced with removable pins to allow the rig to tilt. The axle used had a 65" hub face width that fit just right. I got the axle conversion parts off the shelf at a local trailer parts house. I installed a Harbor Freight swing away tongue jack with a wheel. Cost of the conversion was about $200, not including wheels and tires. The lighting was already changed to 12V bulbs and 4 pin flat connector before I got it. We had some extra recessed D rings around the shop so I installed five, three in the front and two in the back. I also cut a hawser hole in the front and lined it with part of an old U bolt to be able to winch things up into the bed. The front of the winch hooks on the bolt that formerly held the front leg of the trailer.
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M101A1 Standard 3500lb Axle Swap
- Thread starter derf
- Start date
KsM715
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Nice work.
K9Vic
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I like the winch on the front to pull stuff up, is the like a ATV 2000/3000 winch? That is a great idea!!
asgtoolman
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Neat looking trailer; thanks for the pictures--lots of good ideas!
Right now it is just a lever operated Dayton "Come-A-Long" type winch.
I thought about adding an ATV winch.
Since I lowered the trailer, the front foot would be to long. So, I removed it. The bolt that used to hold the foot makes a good hook point for the Dayton winch.
I thought about adding an ATV winch.
Since I lowered the trailer, the front foot would be to long. So, I removed it. The bolt that used to hold the foot makes a good hook point for the Dayton winch.
BSH
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So you kept the lunette eye, but took the landing leg off? How'd you do that? I like it, and this might be a good solution for me.