Hi Guys... dont shoot me.

[ExpeditionXJ]

I'm a Jeeper who enjoys the backcountry and Overland style of wheeling... not into the rockcrawling scene anymore.

To that end i just picked up a homemade trailer which started life as a early-mid 60's step side. This will be used for carrying gear, my roof tent etc. heres a pic..



I need some info if ya'll would be kind enough.

Whats the wheel bolt pattern? It's 6 lug.

I need to raise the trailer tongue about 5" to sit level behind the Cherokee. I plan to replace the 31" tires on now to 33's, and somehow add a few inches to the suspension. Has anyone replaced the coils with something for 3" lift, or does someone make a coil spacer for this? Considering air bags in the future.

I will be removing the fenders and fabbing a set that resemble a 1/4 ton military Jeep trailer, also replacing the axle with a 3500# trailer axle. Anyone know the width of this rear axle?

Appreciate any info or links to help me out.

John

[protrash64]

The 6-lug pattern is 5.5"..........dont know the rest.

[magsnubby]

Cherokees can be some really great off roaders. My current money pit is a '94 YJ. I built if for all around wheelin', rocks, mud (i love mud!!!!), desert, dunes and just back trail exploring.

Here's some jeep sites to check out:

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/index.php

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/index.php

This one has some good info, just be careful what section you post in:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/welcome1.php

[ExpeditionXJ]

Originally Posted by magsnubby

Cherokees can be some really great off roaders. My current money pit is a '94 YJ. I built if for all around wheelin', rocks, mud (i love mud!!!!), desert, dunes and just back trail exploring.

Here's some jeep sites to check out:

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/index.php

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/index.php

This one has some good info, just be careful what section you post in:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/welcome1.php

I'm familiar with those sites, but i thank you. Heres a pic of my Cherokee and the tent i want to get off the Jeep and on the trailer.



Like i said, i'd like some info on lifting the trailers suspension so it sits level with the Jeep. Did some searching but havent found any info as yet.

Thanks for the wheel bolt pattern protrash64. Nice truck in your avatar.

John

[ChiefRocka]

I would just make up your own spacers...or use some Ford front springs...they are super long, and can be cut down to size.

Or you can go ahead with the trailer axle/air bag swap.

[ExpeditionXJ]

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

I would just make up your own spacers...or use some Ford front springs...they are super long, and can be cut down to size.

Or you can go ahead with the trailer axle/air bag swap.

Having towed the trailer home i think the original coils have a nice spring rate for my needs. And i just found the Jeep coil thread, now i know the Jeep coil spacers should work on these OE springs. I'll have to crawl under the trailer and check closer.

I'm looking to get the lift done quickly and cheap, next winter i'll probably rebuild making improvements once again. Trailer axle, tubular trailing arms etc.

I think i have a better idea for a plan now from the tech on this forum... thanks all.

BTW: Dad had a 65 stepside when i was growing up... he still misses that truck.

[ExpeditionXJ]

Sorry to bring back an old thread, but i'm hoping to start this project here shortly.

I found coils that will lift this trailer the ~3" i need in some Wrangler 6" lift rears. I also just found a trailer axle which brings me back searching.

I believe i have an Eaton 12bolt in this trailer. 6 lug, coil spring, third member with 12 bolts and diff cover with 10 bolts. Am i correct in it's ID?

I dont have the trailer here for me to check it's width, can anyone tell me what it is? I found a trailer axle that's 65" wide and wondering how much of a difference there will be.

Appreciate any feedback.

[Captainfab]

Well since your trailer is made from a 1/2 ton, it should have a 12 bolt under it. That diff will have 12 bolts on the rear cover as well as on the ring gear. The other option in a 1/2 ton was with the GMC's which some came with Dana 44's. You being an offroader, I'm sure would have figured that one out on your own. So it is most likely a 12 bolt, which has a WMS to WMS measurement of 62 1/8".

[62gmc910]

If you are going to swap in a new axle you may want to consider puting the axle under the trailing arms and as to the width you can probably make up what you need with wheel offset. I wouldn't rush to change out those arms there excellent technology, look under a nascar cup car they still use a copy of that suspension.

[ExpeditionXJ]

Thanks for the input guys. Captain, your right i would have ID'd a D44. But this axle def has 10 bolts on the diff cover. Stopped and checked it out yesterday. Anyway, thanks for the length, it told me the trailer axle i found is within 1" of this one.

I was hoping to ID it so i could put it up for sale, along with the fenders on this. I'll stop again with my camera and get some shots.

62... thats a damn good idea and one i hadnt thought of. I measured the axletube dia and trailing arm.. right at 6". That save me buying coils. Another stroke of luck is the trailer axle i found seems to have the same width on the spring perches.

Thanks again guys.

[Captainfab]

OK, I looked at the first pic a little closer and it looks as though this trailer was made from a '60-'62 truck. In which case it would have the early truck 10 bolt, the 55T as some call it. If so it will not only have a rear cover, but also a drop out 3rd member. Basically just a smaller version of a HO52/72 differential.

[62gmc910]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

OK, I looked at the first pic a little closer and it looks as though this trailer was made from a '60-'62 truck. In which case it would have the early truck 10 bolt, the 55T as some call it. If so it will not only have a rear cover, but also a drop out 3rd member. Basically just a smaller version of a HO52/72 differential.

Capt. Did you know that GM sold that Diff to toyota along with the 235 -261 engine?? they ran them in land cruizers for years (just useless trivia)
By the way you fab up some NICE stuff

[ExpeditionXJ]

Captain, it does indeed have a removable third member. Thanks for the ID!

[Captainfab]

I didn't realize that even though I like those old FJ's. Now that you mention it, those diffs do look similar.

Thanks for the compliment

Originally Posted by 62gmc910

Capt. Did you know that GM sold that Diff to toyota along with the 235 -261 engine?? they ran them in land cruizers for years (just useless trivia)
By the way you fab up some NICE stuff

[nbrfd007]

Originally Posted by 62gmc910

Capt. Did you know that GM sold that Diff to toyota along with the 235 -261 engine?? they ran them in land cruizers for years (just useless trivia)
By the way you fab up some NICE stuff

They are so close that the old land cruisers have dual wheel cylinder, which become a pain. You can swap the backing plate complete with brakes from an old chevy 6 bolt on to the land cruiser, direct bolt on.