How-To: Functional 2.2 Beadlocks for under $30

[gone_wheelin]

NickRummy: I think the inside diameter is 1" since it is a 1 1/2" - 1" washer but I will need to measure to be sure.

Bugman: I thought about either soldering or brazing the nuts to the rings also. You'll have to let me know how that works out and post some pics when you have them done.

 

[NickRummy]

That would suck. Not big enough to clear stock clod steering knuckles.

 

[gone_wheelin]

I just measured across the opening and it is 1.375 or 1 3/8".

 

[NickRummy]

Thanks for the terrible information :mrgreen:

Now I have to figure out another way to keep the back side of the tire in place.

 

[bugman72]

They make a lot of other sizes out there. If a 1 1/2"-1" doesn't work, see if a 2"-1 1/2" or 2"-1 1/4" will work. The OD of the 2" washer will cover more of the sidewall of the tire, which isn't entirely a bad thing. I know for a fact that my local Lowe's has 2"-1 1/4" washers. Maybe the extra 1/4" will give you the clearance that you need.

 

[NickRummy]

I'll have to go check it out. The steering knuckle on a clod is a hair under 1.625" dia. So the wheel opening would have to clear that which might be pretty difficult.

 

[gone_wheelin]

Yeah, like Bugman said, check the electric department at your local hardware store for larger reducing washers. I have seen some pretty large ones at the Home Depot that I shop at. I think I may have seen some that would work on the Maxx size wheels.

Hmm, I think I feel another project coming!

 

[NickRummy]

Well i went to lowes and picked up a bunch of random sizes. Wouldn't ya now I picked up every single size EXCEPT 1-1/2 - 1" haha I did get a 2" - 1-1/2" that I think might work PERFECTLY. I have to get the rest at work tomorrow and should be able to do some tinkering then too.

 

[dezfan]

Well i went to lowes and picked up a bunch of random sizes. Wouldn't ya now I picked up every single size EXCEPT 1-1/2 - 1" haha I did get a 2" - 1-1/2" that I think might work PERFECTLY. I have to get the rest at work tomorrow and should be able to do some tinkering then too.

The 2"- 1 1/2", are you using them on Maxx sized wheels?:?

 

[NickRummy]

Nope they are being used on the backside of 2.2s. The OD on them is about 3" and the ID is about 1.75" which just cleers the clod steering knuckle. I'm only going to try them on the rear since the OD is big. It just means the disc will have more sidewall conact. I'm still going to use the 1-1/2" - 1" for the front since it looks nice. I'll try and get the parts at lunch and show ya

 

[NickRummy]

went to home depot and lowes today. Figured neither of them carry the 1-1/2" - 1" washers...... great.

I have the ones for the insides of the wheels though.

 

[gone_wheelin]

Home Depot didn't carry them? That sucks. Can they order them from another store?

 

[NickRummy]

nope. I checked two seperate ones. Lowes had more of a variety but still no 1-1/2" - 1" I might be able to get them online but haven't checked yet.

 

[bugman72]

Yeah, Lowes does not stock 1-1/2"-1" reducing washers. They have every other size known to man EXCEPT for the ones we want. You'll have to get them from your local electrical supplier (Butler Supply Co. is where I got mine).

Well, I've decided once again to go a different route on my beadlocks. I tried soldering the nuts to the back, but despite any and all surface preperations and trying to use and not use soldering flux, I couldn't get a satisfactory hold. So, on a whim I tried reversing the holding screws. Meaning, instead of the head of the screw being on the outside of the beadlocks, they are now on the inside. I now have a nuts that will be sandwiched between the two washers which actually have double duty. They both serve to hold in the screw from the backside (also threadlocked) and also serve as a spacer to keep you from overtightening the outer nut and squishing out the tire. I tried this on one of my Moabs and you CAN NOT get the tire to twist out of the beadlocks with this method.

I'll try to get a picture of one of the ring sets to show you what I am trying to explain. I'm using 3/16" long 4-40 screws, so there is very little of the screw shank sticking out.

 

[gone_wheelin]

Bugman: Yeah I tried brazing/soldering just one nut yesterday and all I managed to do was make a mess. Can't wait to see the pics.

I also tried something new for the front wheels to add some weight. I wanted to use a 1" washer that weights 3 1/4 oz. I mounted it to a wheel and then reslized that getting the nuts on might be a pain in the arse so I might try what you did. This is also the washer I tried to braze the nuts to yesterday. I'm thinking that maybe the thickness of the washer is what made it such a pain to braze. That and the fact I have never brazed before. I almost contemplated breaking out my MIG and tacking the nuts in place...in fact I might still do that.

NickRummy: If you can't find any let me know. The Home Depot here has a crap load and I could always send some your way.

 

[NickRummy]

thanks gone wheelin. I got some info today that might help me out :mrgreen: Bout a week and a half lead time to start machining though. Blah.

 

[gone_wheelin]

Thats a bummer. But it will be worth it to have a set of beadlocks that work. Post up some pics when you get them done.

 

[bugman72]

The 1" washers that you are talking about are the same washers that I originally had on my wheels as rock rings. Each wheel weighed 10.8 oz, including the Moab, foam, wheel, two 1" washers, ten 6-32 x 2" bolts and nuts. They worked fine, but my Hitec 645 had some problems in turning 21.6 oz when in a bind! I am looking forward to getting rid of them in favor of reducing weight and having functional beadlocks.

 

[getbent]

anyone tried drilling the hole in the inner washer slightly smaller and just threading the bolt into the washer. if you can't tighten it real tight any way then i wouldn't think it would strip.

 

[gone_wheelin]

Bugman: I'm glad you mentioned to total weight of the combined washer and tire. I guess I will scrap that idea and just stick with the original bead locks.

The washers are to thin to hold threads.