M416 Restoration in Progress

[39th InfantryDivision]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the forum and very thankful to have found such a great resource with such knowledgeable experts on such topics.

I just picked up a 1967 Stevens 1/4 Ton M416 Trailer. Overall it's in pretty decent shape. It has about 4 or more coats of paint that I have to knock off and some minor surface rust. The only thing that's not original are the lights which I'll be ordering shortly. I just ordered the original paint for it and stencil kit. This may be a dumb question but does anyone know what color white they used for the Stencil Markings? I'm assuming that it's just a basic flat white, but I want to get it right. And does anyone know a good place to find close to or original lights for it? And would it be sacrilegious to Rhinoline the undercarriage? Thanks again everyone!

 

[oddave715]

Nice trailer. Marines use undercoating on their stuff.

 

[39th InfantryDivision]

Thank you!

 

[Gunner USN]

Really nice find, welcome aboard!

 

[39th InfantryDivision]

Does anyone have any pics of M416 Trailers with black markings? I'm getting ready to stencil the Unit, Company & Serial numbers on it but I can't decide between white or subdued black. I've seen both but not sure what's original. Would black of been an original color on some for the markings? Thanks!

 

[Whiterabbit]

That depends on the yr you want it to represent. If you are going for pre early 1970s solid green then it's white. If you are doing 4 color Merdc camo of the 70s-80s then it's black with small stars.
http://www.g838.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8964

 

[39th InfantryDivision]

Thank you. I'm trying to go as close to original as possible. It's a 1967 Vietnam Era Trailer that will be solid Olive Drab

 

[39th InfantryDivision]

The restoration is going slower than expected. I finally have it primed, but I had to order new lights, side markets, all new wiring harnesses, drain plugs, etc. I just received the stencil Kit & Lusterless Khaki Olive Drab paint for it. Hope to have it all done by weeks end.

 

[KansasBobcat]

RAPCO sells a gloss white for stencil markings. I am about to start a similar project.

 

[39th InfantryDivision]

So where should I mount the license plate? I don't want to cover the unit markings & serial numbers. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[oddave715]

I have an idea in my head and partially on paper to build a bracket for mounting tags that can be folded out of the way for photos etc. I've gotta talk to someone about the machine work.

 

[39th InfantryDivision]

That's brilliant! I bet that would be a great money maker. I could see that on all types of vintage or classic vehicles.

 

[39th InfantryDivision]

Well I'm far from done but I was able to get a coat of Olive Drab on it today. I went with Lusterless Khaki Olive Drab. It's a little darker than I expected but it looks good. Next up is another coat of paint, stencils and electric then it's on to camping!

 

[39th InfantryDivision]

Paint is done, just the lighting & stencils are left.

 

[39th InfantryDivision]

Off the topic, but why do so many M416 Trailers have damage to the front and rear of the bed that looks like ball pein hammer dents or dings? What exactly is that from? I've seen it on numerous M416's. Mine are on the driver side when towing.

 

[rustystud]

Off the topic, but why do so many M416 Trailers have damage to the front and rear of the bed that looks like ball pein hammer dents or dings? What exactly is that from? I've seen it on numerous M416's. Mine are on the driver side when towing.

Probably from hauling gravel.

 

[KansasBobcat]

Off the topic, but why do so many M416 Trailers have damage to the front and rear of the bed that looks like ball pein hammer dents or dings? What exactly is that from? I've seen it on numerous M416's. Mine are on the driver side when towing.

Don,t know for sure but a .30 cal. can will do that. The last M416 I was signed for was full of beer and ice, Bien Hoa, 4 July 1971.

 

[39th InfantryDivision]

I finally got some of the markings back on it. Hopefully I'll get to finish this week.

 

[M813rc]

An idea for the license plate - my buddy has plates for his, he bolted the plates to four round magnets from the hardware store. He also attached a small, battery powered, LED light to it.
When he gets to a show, the plates comes off and gets stashed in an ammo can. The magnets don't scratch his paint.

Cheers

 

[39th InfantryDivision]

That's a great idea. Thank you. I was just looking on Amazon, they sell the magnetic kits that bolt onto your plate. They are around $30 for top & bottom magnets.