DIY Beadlock Install. - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

*mechanix* · 03-25-2007, 04:09 AM

I found this thread on Pirate about a DIY beadlock install kit and then I saw it this site aswell. So I looked into the kit and it seemed pretty easy to do. It was cheap enough at $229 shipped to my door.

On with the write up:

Step one:

Grind the paint and stuff from out inner lip of the rim. The picture I took turned out terriable but I am sure you get the idea.

This is a pic of the rim I am going to use.

This is a pic of the inside ring I welded to the rim.

This is a pic of the outside ring.

In this next picture you can see how the ring sets inside the rim.

Step two:

To center the inside ring I used four lock washers positioned between the inside ring and the lip of the rim.

Step three:

I used a C clamp to hold the inside ring tight to the rim while I made four tack welds to hold the ring in position while I welded the ring.

Step four:

Weld the ring to the rim. On the final rim I only stopped 5 times. After I welded each ring I would use the air grinder to grind any burrs or weld puddles smooth. I think this is a very important step, also the bigger the bead you make will hinder you getting tire on.

Step five:

Install tire, I used some gel lube from a can to help get the tire on. I am sure soap would work i.e. Dawn dishsoap.

As you can tell from the last pic I don't have all the bolts in but you get the idea. In each rim I will need 24 3/8" bolts. I am going to try and use 2 1/4" long bolts and nylok nuts. I though about welding the nuts to the back of the ring, but my better judgement kicked in and I decided not to. Also I will need to get some 45* valve stems. The way the ring mounts makes it too close for the orgional valve stems to work.

The cost:

Rims where used $150 shipped
Beadlock kit $229 shipped
Bolts/nuts $40 local TSC
Valve stems $25 local parts store

A little time and effort I got a good set of bead locks for under 450 bones.

Here is the thread on Pirate:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=469085

*Brian1* · 03-25-2007, 05:04 PM

Cool! That is definately a good way to get beadlocks if you are on a budget and have a welder

My friend just did the exact same thing about 2 weeks ago on his 17's. He made up a jig so he could spin the wheel as he was welding:

It is a unit bearing off a Jeep.

redranger4.0 · 03-25-2007, 10:24 PM

be sure to check out Great Lake Offroad's DIY beadlock kits, I got mine shipped with hardware for 240.

*PRS* · 03-25-2007, 11:47 PM

sweet

**section525** · 03-26-2007, 12:20 AM

How do you center the tire on the outside of the wheel? It seems like that's something you would want dead-on center. I've never played with beadlocks before.

*mechanix* · 03-26-2007, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by section525

How do you center the tire on the outside of the wheel? It seems like that's something you would want dead-on center. I've never played with beadlocks before.

Well I havent gotten that far yet to be honest. I still need to buy some bolts. I hope today I will be able to get them.

**james t** · 03-26-2007, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by section525

How do you center the tire on the outside of the wheel? It seems like that's something you would want dead-on center. I've never played with beadlocks before.

Basically they center up on the bolts. During the long, long, super long torqing process, you keep the rim on a bucket. This allows the tire to line itself up straight with the bolts as you tighten everything down.

*Positive Vibes* · 03-26-2007, 12:48 PM

Thanks for the write up! Some day I'll get these.

*mechanix* · 03-26-2007, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Positive Vibes

Thanks for the write up! Some day I'll get these.

You are welcome. I hope it will help someone some day.

Eric

**IZwack** · 06-28-2007, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redranger4.0

be sure to check out Great Lake Offroad's DIY beadlock kits, I got mine shipped with hardware for 240.

Hey redranger4.0, did you get "Never Ending Project" cut into your outer rings? If you havent installed them yet, can you please measure what the outside-diameter is of the inner ring? I am running a "reverse" wheel and I want to make sure these things fit in those wheels.

redranger4.0 · 06-30-2007, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IZwack

Hey redranger4.0, did you get "Never Ending Project" cut into your outer rings? If you havent installed them yet, can you please measure what the outside-diameter is of the inner ring? I am running a "reverse" wheel and I want to make sure these things fit in those wheels.

I thought about it but ended up just getting the basic locks, ill measure them tomorrow for you

**IZwack** · 06-30-2007, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redranger4.0

ill measure them tomorrow for you

Thanks redranger4.0! I just need the OD of the inner ring (the one you weld to the wheel).

*FireZapper* · 06-30-2007, 08:40 AM

Did mine a couple weeks ago. I also took the sharp edge off the outer. I've heard of allot of people with cut tires.

They almost center with no effort. The bolt holes are real close to the edge of the tire.

Make sure you get ALL THREAD bolts, 2 1/4 is right to start. But with 35 lbs of torque I bottomed out on 1/2 thread bolts. I went to Fastenal and they only had 1/2 thread. So went to tractor supply and used 1 1/2 bolts. Used the 4 of the 2 1/4 to start then added the 1 1/2 to go to final torque. I have about 3 threads past the nylon nut on the boggers and 5 on the TSL.

redranger4.0 · 07-01-2007, 09:39 PM

IZ, I measured them to be about a 1/16" of an inch under 16"

**IZwack** · 07-01-2007, 10:35 PM

Thanks redranger4.0!

**section525** · 07-01-2007, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IZwack

Thanks redranger4.0!

Don't leave us hanging. Will these work on your rear-steer forklift wheels??

**IZwack** · 07-01-2007, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by section525

Don't leave us hanging. Will these work on your rear-steer forklift wheels??

Just for you big boy -- I went out and measured it and yes, they will fit in my non-rear-steer non-forklift wheels

clarkkent · 07-01-2007, 11:46 PM

where did u pick up this kit?

**IZwack** · 07-02-2007, 12:24 AM

the kit mechanix installed is from Off Road Overstock -- link at the bottom of the first post (to a PBB thread) in this thread

the one redranger4.0 is using is from Great Lakes Off Road (GLO): http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=499468

redranger4.0 · 07-02-2007, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireZapper

They almost center with no effort. The bolt holes are real close to the edge of the tire.

I bought my TSL's from a friend and he had them mounted on Champion beadlocks, and you can see dents in the very edge of the beads of the tires where they were touching the bolts. Doesnt affect the actual bead area, but the bolts are close enough to help center like Zapper said.

03-25-2007, 04:09 AM	#1
mechanix Got beer?!?!?! Springport, Michigan 91 xlt & 93 xlt Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 756 Vehicle Specs	DIY Beadlock Install. I found this thread on Pirate about a DIY beadlock install kit and then I saw it this site aswell. So I looked into the kit and it seemed pretty easy to do. It was cheap enough at $229 shipped to my door. On with the write up: Step one: Grind the paint and stuff from out inner lip of the rim. The picture I took turned out terriable but I am sure you get the idea. This is a pic of the rim I am going to use. This is a pic of the inside ring I welded to the rim. This is a pic of the outside ring. In this next picture you can see how the ring sets inside the rim. Step two: To center the inside ring I used four lock washers positioned between the inside ring and the lip of the rim. Step three: I used a C clamp to hold the inside ring tight to the rim while I made four tack welds to hold the ring in position while I welded the ring. Step four: Weld the ring to the rim. On the final rim I only stopped 5 times. After I welded each ring I would use the air grinder to grind any burrs or weld puddles smooth. I think this is a very important step, also the bigger the bead you make will hinder you getting tire on. Step five: Install tire, I used some gel lube from a can to help get the tire on. I am sure soap would work i.e. Dawn dishsoap. As you can tell from the last pic I don't have all the bolts in but you get the idea. In each rim I will need 24 3/8" bolts. I am going to try and use 2 1/4" long bolts and nylok nuts. I though about welding the nuts to the back of the ring, but my better judgement kicked in and I decided not to. Also I will need to get some 45* valve stems. The way the ring mounts makes it too close for the orgional valve stems to work. The cost: Rims where used $150 shipped Beadlock kit $229 shipped Bolts/nuts $40 local TSC Valve stems $25 local parts store A little time and effort I got a good set of bead locks for under 450 bones. Here is the thread on Pirate: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=469085 __________________ ASE certified mechanic. 91 XLT on 36's. 2005 F150 XLT -Tow rig.

03-25-2007, 05:04 PM	#2
Brian1 Elite Explorer Albuquerque, NM 1991 XLT Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 3,379 Vehicle Specs	Cool! That is definately a good way to get beadlocks if you are on a budget and have a welder My friend just did the exact same thing about 2 weeks ago on his 17's. He made up a jig so he could spin the wheel as he was welding: It is a unit bearing off a Jeep. __________________ Brian 91 XLT 4x4 1942 GPW Rock Crawler Boogerwelds.com Southwest Rockcrawling

03-25-2007, 10:24 PM	#3
redranger4.0 Wannabe Elite Explorer Salem CT 2000 Ranger XLT Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 675 Vehicle Specs	be sure to check out Great Lake Offroad's DIY beadlock kits, I got mine shipped with hardware for 240. __________________ Join the Resistance Ranger-Resistance.com

03-25-2007, 11:47 PM	#4
PRS Elite Explorer San Diego 2000 Explorer Sport 2WD! Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 363 Vehicle Specs	sweet __________________ TT/Shackles, 31" Discoverer STT's, Volant CAI, Flowmaster 50 Series SUV http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2561851 -Brandon

03-26-2007, 12:20 AM	#5
section525 sextion525 Red Bluff, Ca 1996 XLT V8 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 13,432 Vehicle Specs	How do you center the tire on the outside of the wheel? It seems like that's something you would want dead-on center. I've never played with beadlocks before. __________________ 1996 Explorer 5.0L 2004 F250 6.0L 2009 Jetta TDI

03-26-2007, 12:48 PM	#8
Positive Vibes Elite Explorer Santa Cruz, Ca '94 XLT Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 4,093 Vehicle Specs	Thanks for the write up! Some day I'll get these. __________________ '94 XLT, 5.5" superlift, cat back flowmaster, KKM, custom rocksliders, 33X12.5 XTerrains, 4.10's, custom bumpers, Detroit in 8.8, on board air, ARB locker in front winch,etc. What is greater than God, More evil than the devil, The poor have it, The rich need it, And if you eat it, you'll die?

06-30-2007, 08:40 AM	#13
FireZapper Wheel it, Fix it, REPEAT Columbia Pa. 93 Sport Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 467 Vehicle Specs	Did mine a couple weeks ago. I also took the sharp edge off the outer. I've heard of allot of people with cut tires. They almost center with no effort. The bolt holes are real close to the edge of the tire. Make sure you get ALL THREAD bolts, 2 1/4 is right to start. But with 35 lbs of torque I bottomed out on 1/2 thread bolts. I went to Fastenal and they only had 1/2 thread. So went to tractor supply and used 1 1/2 bolts. Used the 4 of the 2 1/4 to start then added the 1 1/2 to go to final torque. I have about 3 threads past the nylon nut on the boggers and 5 on the TSL. __________________ My Elite 93 Sport FW HP Dana 44 and 8.8, Stubbler, WH 5.5 springs, warrior shackles, 36 TSL/37 Boggers, 513's, Spooled front and Welded rear, BBP cage, bumper and sliders.

07-01-2007, 09:39 PM	#14
redranger4.0 Wannabe Elite Explorer Salem CT 2000 Ranger XLT Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 675 Vehicle Specs	IZ, I measured them to be about a 1/16" of an inch under 16" __________________ Join the Resistance Ranger-Resistance.com

07-01-2007, 10:35 PM	#15
IZwack Germantown, MD Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 18,267 Vehicle Specs	Thanks redranger4.0! __________________ »»»»» Exsqueeze me? Baking powder?

07-01-2007, 11:46 PM	#18
clarkkent Wannabe Elite Explorer san luis obispo, CA McNeil Mountaineer Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,576 Vehicle Specs	where did u pick up this kit? __________________ "Can I fit 44 inch tires on a body lift?"

07-02-2007, 12:24 AM	#19
IZwack Germantown, MD Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 18,267 Vehicle Specs	the kit mechanix installed is from Off Road Overstock -- link at the bottom of the first post (to a PBB thread) in this thread the one redranger4.0 is using is from Great Lakes Off Road (GLO): http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=499468 __________________ »»»»» Exsqueeze me? Baking powder?