M101a1 trailer resurrection and rebuild.

ghost

ghost

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 25, 2006
Location
Hartsville/Camden,SC
So Saturday I went and picked up the next project. Like I need another one. However this was too good to pass up. Always wanted one of these mainly because it’s a dump trailer.
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The biggest issue will be the axle missing parts. I’ve got a line in one in Ocala. Of anyone knows of an axle closer please let me know. I was offered a bush hog that needs a lot of work or may just be scrap so I said why not. I need a bigger trailer. Thankfully @oscar80 had a tractor so we put the frame in the tub.
 
So Sunday I used the old 8n bastard tractor and some creative thinking to get things unloaded.

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So if anyone knows where a M101 axles is sitting let me know. Thanks @oscar80 was nice to meet you and your son.
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
It'd probly be alot easier to just get a regular trailer axle.
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I've been researching that but the biggest issue is the park brake dump feature. I found one guy did an axle swap with a dexter 5K using electric brakes with park brake feature.

5.2K Single Axle, 65" (#TS6065EZ)
Electric brake kit with parking brake (#K23-112-00)
Electric brake kit with parking brake (#K23-113-00)

Thread:

M101a1 Axle swap with electric brakes, retaining parking brakes

I am new to Steel Soldiers, as I just picked up a 1968 Case M101a1. I am fairly familiar with them from when I was in the Army during the 1990's, and I absolutely love how sturdy they are built and how useful they are. I am looking to increase the reliability and convenience factor by swapping...
www.steelsoldiers.com
 
I don't have anything to offer other than that is not really a dump trailer. The what the bolts pivot on the frame actually flexes them, and if you dump it often it will stress them and break them. It was not designed to dump, it's just something that people figured out they can do. Hard to explain, but look at how the pivot point is angled and you will see that when it dumps it will 'bend'.

Just going off best I remember when looking at them, I haven't had a m101 (mine was an a2) in 4+ years though.

A m101a2 axle uses regular 8 lug wheels FYI.
 
Tacoma747 said:
I don't have anything to offer other than that is not really a dump trailer. The what the bolts pivot on the frame actually flexes them, and if you dump it often it will stress them and break them. It was not designed to dump, it's just something that people figured out they can do. Hard to explain, but look at how the pivot point is angled and you will see that when it dumps it will 'bend'.

Just going off best I remember when looking at them, I haven't had a m101 (mine was an a2) in 4+ years though.

A m101a2 axle uses regular 8 lug wheels FYI.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. This is my first and for free why not... I did see that the m101a2 has surge brakes and 8 lug. I'm researching options right now. If this axle comes through for cheap I'll likely give it a try. What I'm reading is these are 5 x 6.75 wheels or something like that.
 
ghost said:
Thanks for the info. This is my first and for free why not... I did see that the m101a2 has surge brakes and 8 lug. I'm researching options right now. If this axle comes through for cheap I'll likely give it a try. What I'm reading is these are 5 x 6.75 wheels or something like that.
Click to expand...

I have the whole tongue assembly (actually have two of them) off a M1101. Doubt you need the tongue itself, but you could probably rob the center bar (which is steel) and install it on your trailer. I have the surge brake assembly on them too. Might be a cheap/easy way to add surge brakes. $200 for the whole setup, the surge brake actuator is more than that.
 
Tacoma747 said:
I have the whole tongue assembly (actually have two of them) off a M1101. Doubt you need the tongue itself, but you could probably rob the center bar (which is steel) and install it on your trailer. I have the surge brake assembly on them too. Might be a cheap/easy way to add surge brakes. $200 for the whole setup, the surge brake actuator is more than that.
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Can you share some pictures? I've got an axle I found for $50 in Ocala. A friend was down there and picked it up for me. So I will have a complete original 101a1 axle soon. Problem is the wheels. From research they are a 5 x 6 7/8" bolt pattern 16" wheel. Nothing and no one has that..... Well except the M37.
 
ghost said:
Can you share some pictures? I've got an axle I found for $50 in Ocala. A friend was down there and picked it up for me. So I will have a complete original 101a1 axle soon. Problem is the wheels. From research they are a 5 x 6 7/8" bolt pattern 16" wheel. Nothing and no one has that..... Well except the M37.
Click to expand...

Maybe you want them more true, but you could have a center cut out and weld them in some wheels.

Or find/make some adapters that go to another 5 lug pattern
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
Maybe you want them more true, but you could have a center cut out and weld them in some wheels.

Or find/make some adapters that go to another 5 lug pattern
Click to expand...
Yes that is an option. Apparently the 5 lug is the same as the M37 and I did find these. Adapts a 12 bolt Hummer rim to the pattern. M37 Adapter Plate
rs=w:600,h:600
 
Tacoma747 said:
@ghost

Horrible pics but here it is
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That looks huge. I see what you are saying now. Use the center of the tongue to add surge brakes. Appreciate the offer but right now main goal is to figure out a rim solution.
 
So a friend sent me this video.

Looks like it can't be shared....

Which lead to this google search. which yielded this.

Jack's Gov't Surplus Trucks​


5181 E Drexel Rd, Tucson, AZ 85706 (520) 574-0300
Open today: 8 AM–5 PM

Getting a quote for 2 16" rims shipped to me. He recommend a 750 r 16 tire. Will see what happens. Went to hotlanta and picked up the axle Saturday.
 
So I came across these today. In Washington, NC 4 hours away.

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They might be what I need but the guy doesn't know what the from. Says he got them from a guy that redoes Hummers and 2 1/2 tons. Did they make more than one big pattern 5 lug rim? The picture of the rim and lug pattern makes me think these are them and probably came off a M37. Thoughts? Anyone in that area?

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Air hammer got three that I cut and one U-Bolt out. Time for the torch.
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So the trailer uses 2” wide 7” long 1/2 u bolts. I ordered some off Amazon that were supposed to be 6 1/2” long. Ended up being only 6”. Figured I see if they would work to set the axle. They were not long enough to pull the axle tight so I took two that I salvaged and was able to get it to work until the right ones show up. Nothing sketchy going on here.
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The 11 R 16 are cool but I believe they will be too big. Probably going to look for 3 9 R 16 or something like that.
 
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skyhighZJ said:
Just give it a body lift. It’ll clear em. Lol.
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LOL! If I do that I'll need to consider how I lift it. I plan on using this for moving dirt and fire wood mainly. I have yet to look at how the body mounts to the trailer frame.
 
So how much do you think you have in this (free) trailer at this point. Its pretty cool to bring something back that would have other wise been scrap. Nice job.
 
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