DIY Beadlocks???

[cnicholson]

Has anybody ever made their own beadlocks? If so how and pics please.

[feuerstack411]

no

[cnicholson]

what do you mean no? no you havent tried or dont attempt it

[Scro]

It can be done. But without the right tools, you are just getting yourself in a mess.

[protraxrptr17]

Yep, he's right. You need a lathe, a mill with rotary table, possibly a plasma torch (cnc would be a plus), and a good welder.

[cnicholson]

I am a Machinist/Fabricator so I am pretty sure I have the knowledge and tools to do the job i just need to know what needs to done to the wheel like cutting off the existing bead or ???

[bdiddy72187]

I don't know much about it, but find an off road site, preferably one that caters to rock crawlers. they often make their own bead lock wheels. just an idea.

[fastredrider44]

Nothing wrong with a little DIY, but for the time you spend making some, you could buy some, stronger, and better. If you were talking about making an existing wheel into a beadlock, it would be plenty do able, but finding a wheel thats strong enough to handle it, and not already a beadlock, would be a trick.

[trx310R#24]

i think http://www.burgardcycle.com/ makes them out of itp rims =p

[protraxrptr17]

Yes, put the wheel in the lathe and cut off the existing bead. Cut out a new bead approximately .250" thick maybe a little thicker. Make the OD the same as the bead you cut off. Mill or face off about .060" from the outside to the inside to make a lip for the tire to center on. It needs to be about the same OD as the tires ID. Cut a groove on the back side so you can center it on the wheel when you weld it. Put it on your rotary table and drill your holes for your riv-nuts. I think most 8" wheels have 12 holes. Get some 1/4-20 riv-nuts and install into ring. Cut another ring about .1875" thick. Same OD and ID as the first one. This will be your outside ring. Put it on the rotary table and drill your holes. These should be 1/4". Round the edge with a corner rounding end mill. Counter sink the holes with a end mill the same size as your flat washers or use a counter sink tool and use those flush head allen bolts. Make a fixture to bolt to the inner ring out of 1/2 steel so it won't warp all to hell during welding. Clamp it all down good and weld it up.

That's how I would do it anyway.

more work than it will ever be worth. IMO let the professionals do it.