Mil Spec M8A1 Ammo Mule New Build Tips to help other builders

[M8A1MuleBuilder]

Hello Everyone,

A few design tips and info to help fellow builders out there...

Weight approx. 850 lbs without spare tire
10” Brake drums
3” Axle
LED Tail Lights with side Ambers and License plate light
Steel HD Tail Light Gards
2 Rear Leveling Jacks
7 pin Wire Harness
5 foot Long Box
Lockable Fuel Storage
D Rings
Hooks
Lid with SUSPA strut
HD Spring Latches on Lid and Tailgate
Adjustable External Mounted tent rack RTT
Max Coupler hitch
5,000 lb safety cables
4” HD Hinges
1.5” x 3” x 16 ga. Frame tube
1.5” square tube 16 ga. Vertical box struts
HD Spare Tire mount on Tailgate
Side Steps with Ammo boxes for tool storage

Frame Jig I built
A few other build videos on my channel as well

Thanks

 

[M8A1MuleBuilder]

(Reserved for future Updates)

 

[Mccaf]

My M8A1 Mule build out:
I met mulebuilder on another site and really liked what I saw in these ORTs. I ordered up an M8A1 mule with some customizing touches so I could build it out as an off road-off grid camping trailer. Cost as picked up was $4000 plus matching rims to my the tow rig that I paid for.

I finally got the call mid September 2017 that the trailer is ready for pick up at his shop in Arizona. He kept me posted throughout the summer with hundreds of photos and updates as he progressed the build on my trailer. I also had some input when some decisions need to be made on what I actually wanted in my custom design. I didn’t change much as I wanted to preserve the “authenticity” of the US Army version.

As picked up:


First stop was Turtleback Trailer in Phoenix to pick up my 23ZERO rooftop tent, the guys were great in instructing us on mounting and set up.


I pulled the trailer home to San Diego with my JKU. The Mule pulled effortlessly. No drag, no sway, I hardly even knew it was behind me unless I looked in the mirror. Same wheel track as the jeep...

Once at home I went to work. I had already build a 4 foot long slide-out with metro shelving,. included in the metro basket; a 15” kitchen sink plenty of space to hold 6 totes for kitchen gear/camping stuff, Coleman stove , and some 500lb sliders which to access it all.

Edit: after my first trip on the Mojave Road I decided that the Coleman stove really sucked. I hated the fact that there was no low flame adjustment for simmering the likes of an Italian Sausage, onion,Bell Pepper dinner...and others...After researching some other stoves and ended up with a camp chef Everest. I also decided not to permanently mount the Everest in the metro shelf, (like the Colman was) but I would rather have portable stove moving capability. One, due to the close cooking proximity of the tent fabric and absorbing odors (4 legged black mammals in the Sierras and San Juan’s ) precautions ? and REALLY happy with the Everest stove.

With the last few square feet remaining, I planned on adding my ARb63 on a slide out rack to complete the inside.

I began by caulking the tongue box and trailer to seal against dirt and water and adding electronics. The tongue box is designed for fuel/water Jerrycans and will close and padlock if you have no security. I opted to use this compartment for my power system.

Once Home I Then added 3/4”plywood lining, 15 gallon water tank, 55 psi water pump (showers) an eco-temp 5L on-demand hot water heater, outside mount propane tank, pass-thru hose door, outside water fill, and electronics, including a portable solar system. Cost to build out was $4500 including the RTT, ARb freezer, and $500 in a solar setup. I contracted the electronics to a local guy #Adventure Wired here in SD.

Love the indie adjustable (up to 200psi) suspension with air shocks


Metro rack and mock up of what I wanted originally. Damn, so much for mockups lol. Re modified severely!


What I ended up with
All the totes pack in the metro shelfbasket and contain everything cooking related. I keep the campsite stuff in a Milspec Duffel, ax, camp shovel,tarp, ropes, grey water bins, and so on.
The pop up table on the gate is perfect for my cast iron cooking setup. The moved the sink to rear of the basket ( with PCV drain) as it was closer to the 15 gal water tank. There are 8’ washing machine hoses that slide out 4’ when the basket is open.
#Truckhaven


The GUTS:





100ah AGM battery, 4usb, 1 CLA, shore charging and a CTEK DS250 which also acts as a 20amp solar controller (up to 250w of panels) and b2b charger.


Maiden weekend with Solar :

Batt never went below 12.4 volts overnight.
Pictured is a Renogy 100w suitcase panel, and a 50’ tether of 10awg to hit the sunshine!
#MtLaguna



On The Mojave Road:
Beat the piss out of this Mule and still ticking!
#SCORE
Southern California Off Road Explorers
#AftonCanyon


So the Mule is always packed and ready to go. I really like the portability and readiness. The price slso included one of Nate’s 3-axis hitch, which is build more extreme and about a foot longer that the other popular brands. Hitting Utah and Co this fall. The mule all locks up and doubles as a big bear proof box!

 

[84-4runner]

Hello Everyone,

A few design tips and info to help fellow builders out there...

Weight approx. 850 lbs without spare tire
10” Brake drums
3” Axle
LED Tail Lights with side Ambers and License plate light
Steel HD Tail Light Gards
2 Rear Leveling Jacks
7 pin Wire Harness
5 foot Long Box
Lockable Fuel Storage
D Rings
Hooks
Lid with SUSPA strut
HD Spring Latches on Lid and Tailgate
Adjustable External Mounted tent rack RTT
Max Coupler hitch
5,000 lb safety cables
4” HD Hinges
1.5” x 3” x 16 ga. Frame tube
1.5” square tube 16 ga. Vertical box struts
HD Spare Tire mount on Tailgate
Side Steps with Ammo boxes for tool storage

Frame Jig I built
A few other build videos on my channel as well

Thanks

A very nice trailer . I noticed on another link that you mentioned that you h use a 30 inch jacket to raise and lower you rack. do you have pictures of that in use. I am very interested.
thanks

 

[M8A1MuleBuilder]

A very nice trailer . I noticed on another link that you mentioned that you h use a 30 inch jacket to raise and lower you rack. do you have pictures of that in use. I am very interested.
thanks

I use a dewalt impact gun battery powered to raise and lower

Here is a clip of raising and lowering

 

[M8A1MuleBuilder]

The new Trailing Arms are here
With Rock Sliders very beefy