Finally picked up an M416, weird gas can bracket??

need more space? add a M416 trailer! and discuss it here.

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Crusader_22
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Finally picked up an M416, weird gas can bracket??

Unread post by Crusader_22 » August 19th, 2010, 12:06 pm

Well, I finally found a decent trailer close to home. It is well past my expectations.

The good: It is the cleanest, straightest M416 I have seen in person. No rust, just some surface rust from worn paint. all of it is undented and in good shape. Brake works fine, lighting is original. Really good tires, and it is a USMC trailer, so it has the side tiedown loops.

It also has that unusual fuel can bracket. Can bottom seam lip clips in the bottom, and a padlock secures the gas can by trapping the inner handle. A friend tells me it is a rare variation. I have never seen one before.

It came out of the military at the Marine Airstation in Yuma, AZ, was bought by the father of the guy I got it from. Actually, he just brokered the sale, I bought it from the father. It has likely been in the Southwest it's entire life judging by the rust free tub.

The bad: It is not original paint, no big deal there. The data plate is missing. Someone replaced the lighting plug end with a round 7-pin civillian plug. my buddy has a military one for 10 bucks. Also they put 12 volt bulbs in it. I haven't opened them to see if they modified the light buckets, hopefully not.

The ugly: There is none!

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11 yrs Army NG, currently full time AH-64D Apache Longbow crewchief
Former 11B, 32 IN BDE, WIARNG "RED ARROW!" OIF 3 2005-2006
General know it all jerk 42 years and running.

SOLD 1971 AM General M151A2
SOLD 1966 USMC M416

Ralph Fuller
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Re: Finally picked up an M416, weird gas can bracket??

Unread post by Ralph Fuller » August 19th, 2010, 2:05 pm

Great looking trailer. Looks complete with all of the hard to find parts there, including the black out light on the right rear.
First thing I did was open both of the drains as a precaution.(left front corner, and right rear). I don't plan on doing any fording, and it will not be floating any time soon.
Ralph
1967 M151A1
1967 M151A1
1967 M416
1947 Bantam TC-3 trailer
If The Phone Don't Ring ... You'll Know It's Me
Airborne Ranger CIB Vietnam

Crusader_22
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Re: Finally picked up an M416, weird gas can bracket??

Unread post by Crusader_22 » August 19th, 2010, 2:20 pm

Thanks, Ralph. I am very happy. Ever see a fuel can bracket like that?

I checked the drains, they are open. I DO plan on fording with it, though! :lol:

I already rattle canned over that funky blue-green faded paint, and sprayed on some stars ad TP markings.

Jeff

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11 yrs Army NG, currently full time AH-64D Apache Longbow crewchief
Former 11B, 32 IN BDE, WIARNG "RED ARROW!" OIF 3 2005-2006
General know it all jerk 42 years and running.

SOLD 1971 AM General M151A2
SOLD 1966 USMC M416

halftracknut
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Re: Finally picked up an M416, weird gas can bracket??

Unread post by halftracknut » August 19th, 2010, 2:21 pm

That is a great find! :mrgreen:
slowest mutt east of the missippi..

Ralph Fuller
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Re: Finally picked up an M416, weird gas can bracket??

Unread post by Ralph Fuller » August 19th, 2010, 5:32 pm

NOS M416 data plate for sale on Ebay, in Lookout Mountain, Georgia with a Buy It Now $20.50.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep-Wil ... ccessories
Ralph
1967 M151A1
1967 M151A1
1967 M416
1947 Bantam TC-3 trailer
If The Phone Don't Ring ... You'll Know It's Me
Airborne Ranger CIB Vietnam

Crusader_22
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Re: Finally picked up an M416, weird gas can bracket??

Unread post by Crusader_22 » August 19th, 2010, 6:31 pm

Hey, thanks, Ralph! Does anyone make the Date of Delivery tag on the tongue repro?

I'm dying to find out the story on that gas can mount. It looks to me like it is specific to the M416, as it has bends whic coincide with the bed/frame contours, somewhat. Pretty cool either way, as I can padlock the can to the trailer, unlike the regular M151 system.

Getting better. By no means ready to do a restoration, but at least it looks more "military" and presentable. After all, I bought it to use it for offroading, general hauling, etc.

I ran out of green paint, I have to wait until Ace Hardware gets more paint cans in tomorrow so I can fix the stencil overspray, finish some spots outside, and do the inside. The underside of the whole trailer is still perfect original OD semi-gloss. :shock:

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11 yrs Army NG, currently full time AH-64D Apache Longbow crewchief
Former 11B, 32 IN BDE, WIARNG "RED ARROW!" OIF 3 2005-2006
General know it all jerk 42 years and running.

SOLD 1971 AM General M151A2
SOLD 1966 USMC M416

halftracknut
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Re: Finally picked up an M416, weird gas can bracket??

Unread post by halftracknut » August 19th, 2010, 6:56 pm

Are you sure that trailer was made for off roading? It looks too nice ...buy a beater to go in the woods ... :wink:
slowest mutt east of the missippi..

Crusader_22
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Re: Finally picked up an M416, weird gas can bracket??

Unread post by Crusader_22 » August 19th, 2010, 7:52 pm

HTN,

I know, I really want to be careful. I won't throw rocks in the bed, etc. Just some light dump runs and brush hauling, etc. But it WILL be used for remote, primitive backcountry camping. I like camping in places inaccessible to most weekend schleps with boom boxes and screaming kids in public campgrounds. They will never find me!

:D
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11 yrs Army NG, currently full time AH-64D Apache Longbow crewchief
Former 11B, 32 IN BDE, WIARNG "RED ARROW!" OIF 3 2005-2006
General know it all jerk 42 years and running.

SOLD 1971 AM General M151A2
SOLD 1966 USMC M416

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Re: Finally picked up an M416, weird gas can bracket??

Unread post by csmith » August 19th, 2010, 8:13 pm

Great Score Jeff!
1976 M151A2 4 Color Cammo Mutt, aquired August 09
1976 or 7? M151A2 "Miss Sandy" Driver, aquired May 2010
Former owner M151A2 "Miss Saigon" Vietnam Rescue Sold Sept 09
Fond appreciation for the M151 Breed!!

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Rainman
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Re: Finally picked up an M416, weird gas can bracket??

Unread post by Rainman » August 19th, 2010, 8:45 pm

Hey Crusader,
Nice trailer for sure. I've never seen the fuel can bracket before, but it sure is interesting. I'd put a pair on my 416's if I ever see them available. I've seen a variety of straps, but never a bracket like that one. :D Great find, thanks for sharing the pictures.
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M151 World Land Speed Record Holder

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Re: Finally picked up an M416, weird gas can bracket??

Unread post by Motorcityman » August 20th, 2010, 2:31 am

Nice looking trailer. One thing though, whats up with the hooks/rings/lifting point thingamajigs to the left and right of the leaf spring shackles? I don't remember those being on my 416. Was that on later variants maybe? Mine was a 1967 stevens, maybe a 1966 I forget.

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Re: Finally picked up an M416, weird gas can bracket??

Unread post by rickf » August 20th, 2010, 6:00 am

MC man, That is a marine version with the lifting eyes. Although the gas can bracket is interesting, I have seen one before. I don't know if it was civilian or military. I would want the normal style carrier for off road. A full gas can weighs around forty pounds ans that is a lot weight to be hanging from a small portion of the lower lip. That is just asking for a leak.


Rick
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
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Ralph Fuller
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Re: Finally picked up an M416, weird gas can bracket??

Unread post by Ralph Fuller » August 20th, 2010, 9:37 am

Here is my M416 the way I wanted it done.
I stripped it down to bare metal, hammered out a few dents and used Krylon camouflage "Olive" spray cans and red primer.
Peal-and-stick white letters from Hobby Lobby. I used an 8x11 sheet of white, peal-and-stick vinyl to make the star (2 to a sheet).
3" "U.S. Army" because I already had it...should be 2" lettering.
Bullet holes are there because I like them, and are easily removed.
Used vinyl cover was found on Ebay for $75.
Both NOS data plates bought from Russel Deese in Cairo, GA $25
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Ralph
1967 M151A1
1967 M151A1
1967 M416
1947 Bantam TC-3 trailer
If The Phone Don't Ring ... You'll Know It's Me
Airborne Ranger CIB Vietnam

Crusader_22
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Re: Finally picked up an M416, weird gas can bracket??

Unread post by Crusader_22 » August 21st, 2010, 4:44 pm

Nice, Ralph.

Finished painting mine, same paint - Krylon "Olive" camoflague super flat paint. Looks great. The new paint made some crookedness in the front bulkhead more apparent.

The stencils aren't perfect, but I actually don't like "perfect" stencils on my MVs. I've been in the Army a long time, and 90% of them in "real life" have overspray, uneven coverage, and some degree of crookedness!

Pretty stencils are nice, but don't, to me, represent the true nature of motor pool working military vehicles.

Now I just need one reflector (my brother is giving me one), and to replace the intervehicular cable back to a military one. I need the whole cable. Prices seem to vary for NOS, lots ove $100, but I found one dealer (Saturn Surplus, my favorite parts place) for $38.50! Now, if I just had $38.50 left in my hobby fund after buying the trailer and a case of paint...

:(

Jeff

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11 yrs Army NG, currently full time AH-64D Apache Longbow crewchief
Former 11B, 32 IN BDE, WIARNG "RED ARROW!" OIF 3 2005-2006
General know it all jerk 42 years and running.

SOLD 1971 AM General M151A2
SOLD 1966 USMC M416

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Re: Finally picked up an M416, weird gas can bracket??

Unread post by Rainman » August 21st, 2010, 8:07 pm

Hey Crusader,
Just back from the Shiloh event, and had a blast. While I was there I heard the word on your can brackets. I am told they are civilian production. I'll get more details and post them when I have them. As for paint, Rapco sells rattle cans of Gillespie 383 or 24087, I think for like $6 a can. Not as convenient as Walmart though Did you look for or find any old markings or star locations before you spiffed it up?
Rainman
M151 World Land Speed Record Holder

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