How-To: Functional 2.2 Beadlocks for under $30

[ILoveRCRockCrawlin]

Yeah, I wish the mods would just sticky this thread.

:lol: I know. 260 replys and loaded with awesome info. Shame.

 

[gone_wheelin]

I guess there just aren't enough views or replies to warrant sticky status.

 

[NickRummy]

I made these about a year ago. Here are the dimensions I used for the hole pattern. You might be able to print it out and scale it up to use as a template.

 

[jmorrison518]

Here is a .pdf file that is similar to the one that Nick posted. You should be able to print this directly onto a laser/bubble jet printer at 1:1 on 8 1/2"x11" paper.


http://www.teamvegasrc.com/crawling/beadlock.pdf

Some of the lines get a little funky on the conversion, but they still work pretty well. What I did is cut out just the smaller ring and using "Workable Fixativ" (spray glue essentially) I attached it to the rings, then used my drill press. I wouldn't recommend drilling more than 4 rings at a time as once you get up to 8 or more, it really starts to get hard keeping the alignment.

 

[RandyatBBY]

Hey Gone Wheelin It was cool to meet you at the Ground Pounders race yesterday. I could not quit thinking about the bead locks yesteday after seeing them. I think for the brutal treatment that we put the tires and wheels thres I will try to screw the inner ring to the wheel. It was too late to look for the site in Valijo.
See Ya

 

[gone_wheelin]

Hey Randy it was great to meet you too, talk about a small world. Always nice to meet another crawler enthusiast.

You could try screwing the inner washer on but I gotta tell you, I have not had a washer come off, even after taking an 8' tumble down a rock face.

I'm going to try to scout out some crawling spots up on this side of the GG too.

 

[RandyatBBY]

The reason I thought that is becuse I have had some rock rings that were CA on and came off.

 

[gone_wheelin]

You know, the screw heads might also help to hold the bead in place too, especially on M2K's.

Post up some pics if you get a chance to build a set.

 

[NickRummy]

I've been thinking about doing another set of these too. I ran M2Ks last time which seemed to be a pain in my side. I want to try swamp dawgs now.

Randy, I had the same problem with the inner washer coming undone while using CA. I was messing around in a creek for about an hour. Put the truck away later and the next day came back to the inner washer un attached to the rim.

 

[RandyatBBY]

I've been thinking about doing another set of these too. I ran M2Ks last time which seemed to be a pain in my side. I want to try swamp dawgs now.

Randy, I had the same problem with the inner washer coming undone while using CA. I was messing around in a creek for about an hour. Put the truck away later and the next day came back to the inner washer un attached to the rim.

How well did you prep the wheel? I did not do much untill after the first one came off. Then in Moab we were trail running up a creek and I lost two. found one and the other is gone for good.

 

[NickRummy]

roughed up the bead of the rim with a dremel sanding drum, did the same with the washer.

The opposite side looks like the side showing.

 

[flip3d]

nice write up and very helpful.

flip

 

[gone_wheelin]

Glad you found it useful. Post up some pics if/when you make a set.

 

[rockhugger]

hey, Im glad you were abel to get out and crawl while you were here in Sac.

I made some of these bead locks and I love them. great idea

you'll have to come up for one of our GTG.

 

[gone_wheelin]

hey, Im glad you were abel to get out and crawl while you were here in Sac.

I made some of these bead locks and I love them. great idea

you'll have to come up for one of our GTG.

Yeah there's some good crawling out at Beals Point. I'll definitely be hitting that spot next time I am up there.

Yeah, Nate told me you made a set and I was pretty stoked to hear of a semi-local guy that made a set. Glad you like them. Did you use two washers per side or just one with a long screw running through? Post up some pics, if you get a chance.

Not sure when I will be able to get back up in that area but I will definitely try to plan it a little better next time.

 

[drc323]

nice set wheels very helpfull"thumbsup"

 

[gone_wheelin]

Thanks, Glad they work well for you. I know I'm very happy with the set I made. Post up a pick of yours when/if you get the chance.

 

[fishmasterdan]

Thanks for all the usefull info.

I can add a little to this thread.

The washers are called reducing washers that are sold at any wholesale house like Platt, Graybar, GE supply.... Look in our local phone book for electrical wholesale.

The washer come in standard conduit sizes.
1/2", 3/4", 1", 1 1/4", 1 1/2", 2", 2 1/2", 3",3 1/2", 4", 5" ,6"

However they are not the size of the conduit.
Example 2" to 1" is acually the O.D. of the pipe. Ususally add 1/2" to the standard size.
You can get any combination like 3" to 1" or 2" to 1 1/4".

It would be best to measure exactly what you needed and go to the wholesale house measure the actual O.D. of the reducing washer.

Hope that helps anyone out there looking for the washers.
They are used in the electrical trade to reduce conduit holes when you cut the wrong hole (I have never done that :roll, or have an existing part the you need to put a smaller conduit in.

 

[ecoli]

Thanks for that tip fishmasterdan. I was wondering how the heck that was a 1.5 to 1" washer on those wheels, just seemed wrong until I read your post, makes sense now. Off to Home Depot!!

Chris

 

[gone_wheelin]

Well I finally managed to break my original set of beadlocks. Didn't actually break the beadlock, but the wheel hex instead. Stripped out two while doing some crawling the other day. That's gotta say something for how well these things grip tires.

Guess I'll have a chance to see how easy the RPM Revolvers are to add locks to now.

BTW, I haven't had a bead slip since adding the fuel tubing to the inner washer.