DIY Rock Crawler
Rock crawlers are vehicles that are able to drive up through rocks and mountain terrain. In order to drive on these terrains, the vehicle must be fitted with beadlocks on all four tires. The installation of beadlocks on off-road tires will help you create your rock crawler. Beadlocks are mechanical devices that connect the tire bead to the vehicle's wheel.
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Things You'll Need
- Off-road tires
- Beadlock rim
- Grinder
- Plasma cutter
- Tape measure
- Welding tape
- Silicone
- Paint
- Paint brush
- Torque wrench
- Bolts
Instructions
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1
Install the beadlock by cutting of the outer bead of the wheel. Use a plasma cutter to make a straight cut across the out edge of the beadlock. Use the groove in the outer edge to guide you on where and how to cut the wheel.
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2
Trim the edges with a grinder to make sure that the groove is as straight as possible.
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3
Place the inner rim on the wheel. Make sure the inner rim of the beadlock is aligned and parallel to the inner bead. You can do this by measuring the rim's circumference with a tape measure to ensure that it is rim is positions in the center of the wheel.
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4
Weld together the wheel and the inner rim by applying welding tack all around the edges of the inner rim where it meets the wheel. Further seal the edges with a film of silicone that can be applied over the welding tack. This will seal any potential leaking pin holes.
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5
Apply a coat of paint to the beadlock rim.
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Insert the rim inside the tire, with the inner beadlock rim on the center of the tire. This will require a bit of effort and force to push the rim into the tire. Make sure the out rim extends slightly over the circumference of the inner tire rim.
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Secure the rim to the tire by installing several long bolts and distribute them throughout the tire rim. You may need to drill a few holes into the beadlock rim if there aren't any. The size of the holes will depend on the size of the bolts used. A one-inch diameter hole will require a slightly smaller bolt that can be inserted and tightened with a torque wrench until they are firmly secured. Torque the beadlocks at least three times to secure them. Perform the above steps for each tire.
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References
- Photo Credit truck rim image by Tammy Mobley from Fotolia.com
