AN/TPQ-36 FireFinder (Modified M116A1) Trailer

[frank8003]

You got a really good trailer there, good to go, hook it to a PM and drive her around'.
Can't kill it, good for campin too. Imagine how much beer you could take with you.

 

[Guyfang]

Frank,

If I ever get back to the States, I may have to visit you!

 

[Tinstar]

Absolutely post away.

This is the only trailer data plate that I’ve seen which says “Modified”.
Hard to tell in pics but it came from factory that way. Hence the modified wording on the data plate.

Way too nice aluminum work for unit level.

 

[Tinstar]

You got a really good trailer there, good to go, hook it to a PM and drive her around'.
Can't kill it, good for campin too. Imagine how much beer you could take with you.

It’s built like an aluminum tank.
I have it up on all 3 jacks right now and it doesn’t budge at all when standing on it and trying to make it move or even wiggle a bit.

Zero flex. on fenders or boxes.
Plenty of storage built in.
Going to install NOS wire harness this weekend if weather cooperates.

 

[Tinstar]

Patched up the holes and secured the side panel to keep weather out.
I missed the small one. Will put a screw in it tomorrow.
Will probably install a solid sheet of aluminum at some point in the future in its place.

 

[Guyfang]

	OVERALL LENGTH	147 1/8 INCHES NOMINAL
	OVERALL WIDTH	73 INCHES NOMINAL
	DESIGN TYPE	WHEELED
	III CAPACITY RATING	0 3/4 TONS
	SUPPORT TYPE	ADJUSTABLE LEG
	WHEEL ARRANGEMENT STYLE	MIDDLE, SINGLE
	PARKING BRAKES	INCLUDED
	SUSPENSION TYPE	THROUGH SHAFT AXLE
	RETRACTABLE SUPPORT FEATURE	INCLUDED
	DRAWBAR TYPE	RIGID A-FRAME
	DISTANCE FROM BODY FRONT TO DRAWBAR COUPLER CENTER	47 313/500 INCHES NOMINAL
	DRAWBAR CHARACTERISTIC	TELESCOPIC
	DRAWBAR COUPLER TYPE	LUNETTE
	TOWING PINTLE HOOK	NOT INCLUDED
	BODY LENGTH ACCOMMODATED	96 3/8 INCHES NOMINAL
	BODY WIDTH ACCOMMODATED	45 1/2 INCHES NOMINAL
	DISTANCE FROM FLOOR TO FRAME TOP	28 7/8 INCHES NOMINAL
	BODY PLATFORM TYPE FOR WHICH DESIGNED	FLAT

 

[Tinstar]

Thanks for the info.
It still doesn’t cover this particular trailer.
It’s wider than a normal M101A1 and includes the dual wheels.

Nothing I’ve found/seen so far mentions the dual wheels and 3 extra leaf springs layers.

 

[Guyfang]

I have just sent a mail to someone in TACOM who may be able to shed some light on this.

 

[Tinstar]

So I picked up the newly installed tires today.
This is the closest tire I could to find to match the ones that it came with. E rated.
Installed valve stem extensions to make life easier down the road.

Used some rust converter on the drums and some spots on the wheels.
Finished one side of one rim before I ran out of daylight.
I know they look really rough but they’ll clean up nice.
Overspray on tire will come off during first wash.

Rims were manufactured in January of 1968.
I didn’t have the rims sandblasted because I’m not doing a full blown restoration.
Cleaning them up, killing the rust and then painting them is good enough for whatever I’ll be doing with this trailer.

NOS military shackles are on the way.
New Monroe shocks are also.
Still need install wiring harness.
Then when all the small stuff is finished, I can paint the trailer.
..........and someday I’ll figure out what to do with it.

Edit: The green wheel was freshly painted when pic was taken. Luckily it has toned down quite a bit after drying.
Boy it’s really green in the pic!

 

[Tinstar]

Weather finally permitted some work on trailer.

Installed 4 new shackles. Will
Paint when trailer is painted
Removed brake drums and gave a coat of primer. Will paint later today. No heavy rust or pitting inside drums.

Brakes looked good.
Removed one brake lever and it’s soaking in rust remover. Still can’t find new ones.
Hopefully they can be salvaged
Ordered new brake cables.

Still in process of painting wheels.
Rust killer already applied and one wheel complete.
Should have them all completed this weekend.

Still need to install new wiring harness.
Also still looking for new spring bump stops.
Ones fine, other rusted free as you can see in pic.
New shocks still inbound.

New hub cover gaskets are arriving today.
Now I can pull covers and hubs for bearing inspection and grease repack.

Thinking about placing a S-250 on top and making a camper out of this.
Definitely have the suspension to support it.

 

[Tinstar]

Lots of parts arrived but work and weather are slowing progress significantly.

New Shocks were installed.
Of course two different sizes of mounting studs
Had to modify new lower bushings with center bushing sleeve from old shock.
It looks and will perform fine, just didn’t expect different sizes.
Top of shock sleeve and frame crossbeam are
very close together. Don’t think they will hit when going down bumpy roads but will definitely keep an eye on it.

Hub gaskets and new brake cables arrived.
New brake levers are en route and should be here Monday.
New 5/8” lock pin arrived to replace the aluminum one I busted on front Jack.

Picture is the old shock brand and part number, which is obsolete now.

Rims are painted and ready.
Wiring harness still not installed.
Still searching for Jack base plates and one bumper stops in the classifieds.

Will probably be placing a S-250 on top,

I’m calling this trailer my money pit.

Will post pics and p/n’s of other parts later.

 

[Tinstar]

New brake levers arrived today.

Now I can assemble the new cables and handles and finally put the drums and wheels back on.

 

[Guyfang]

I have just sent a mail to someone in TACOM who may be able to shed some light on this.

It would appear that my buddy is in the hospital with the bug. His son wrote me and said its 50/50 chances. I will try someone else.

 

[Tinstar]

It would appear that my buddy is in the hospital with the bug. His son wrote me and said its 50/50 chances. I will try someone else.

I pray for a Speedy recovery to your friend.

 

[Tinstar]

So this trailer is definitely putting up a fight

Installed NOS wiring harness that was made for a “normal” M101 series trailer.
Except this isn’t a normal trailer and I had to modify the harness by splicing in an additional 4 feet of military 14ga wire and moving the factory splices back several inches.

Not only are the taillights further back but their also much wider apart.
Unwrapping and rewrapping the wires was so much fun.
Looks factory but that was a pain.

Had an issue with right taillight and traced it back to main trailer plug.
Disassembled the plug and the wire insulation was almost completely gone and exposed wires were touching behind the rubber pin plug.
I removed pins and shrink sleeved all exposed wires and cleaned pins with emery cloth.
Everything cleaned before and after with contact cleaner.
Works great now.
Didn’t have to spend $100 on brand new trailer cable.

Installed new spring shackle pins and discovered that the trailer springs have 10 leafs on the left side and 12 on the right.
So of course it doesn’t sit level.
You can tell it came that way from factory or was modified a very long time ago.
Will at some point remove two from right side so it rides level. 10 per side is plenty!

The NOS brake cables are about 3/4” shorter than the old ones.
Not the cable overall length itself but the steel housing length.
Yes I have the correct cables for a normal M101A1.
Triple checked before I ordered.
Since this isn’t a normal trailer I will have to drill new cable end plate holes.
No big deal but just another time consuming task.

Still need to mount new brake levers
Wheels are back on and it’s sitting on the ground again.
Towed It around a bit and it still tows great.
Pressure washed it and have the paint needed.
Will be using standard 383 green.

I’m about done with this trailer in more ways than one.