How to build DIY beadlocks step by step

Over the years I have built more weld on beadlocks then I care to remember. There are many different way to to do it. Some righter then others. This is what I have found to be the easiest. This can easily be done by yourself. Help is all ways a plus. Start to finish its going to take about 10 hours

freshly cut inner and outer rings from BamBam on timbercawler.com


The outer lip of the rims need to be prepared. Failure to to remove all contaminates (paint, and road grime) will result in bad welds. The rims I chose to use were new. The easiest why I have found to remove paint is to blust it off with a torch and then hit it when a wire wheel. You could use a grinder, but you need to be careful not to dig in to the base metal




If you want the ring to look good for years. Your going to need to blast the surface. The paint needs something to stick you.


On the inner ring your going to want to use weld thur primer


on the outer ring your going to want to use a self etching primer.


you need to evenly space the inner ring on the rim and tack it in place. you do not want ring to shift while welding


Before you tack every thing together, make sure the valve stem hole in the rim is between the hole in the inner ring.


Your going to want to run 4" to 8" welds. Move to the oposite side and repeat. take you time, let the rim cool between passes. Grind your starts and stop. this will help your welds tie in. Failure to do so may result in leaks


After a couple of hours your new beadlocks should turn out something like this

On to mounting tires on to your new beadlocks.

Like any thing in life, this can be accomplished many different ways. I have a 2" receiver hitch cemented in my drive way. It was originally meant for by tubing bender. I simple build a stand to mount the rim to



At this point don't forget to install you valve stem


with a lil soapy water and a pry bar you should easily be able to slip the tire on


I highly recommend running a bead of RVT


Its time for a age old bolt debit, grade 5 or grade 8. Personally I'm useing grade 8. If you want to use grade 5, go for it. I see both all the time. Its a personal chose.

just like lug nuts, you want to evenly torque down the bolts 10 to 15 ft lbs. With 24bolt beadlocks I start with every 4th bolt


And repeat


Double check that all your bolts a evenly torqued down

Seat the inner bead and your DONE


total cost
(4) 17x9 with 6" of back spacing $200 from the local dodge dealership

custom inner and outer DIY beadlock $200 from BamBam on timbercrawler.com

100 grade 8 blots, washers,
lock washer and lug nuts $57 dollars from fastenal

Total $457 not to shabby 8)

i love your thread on the bead locks. just one question! why i the past when i have inquired about locks have i been told that the outer ring should have to be recessed to allow for the bead. how true is this? then again i was told that the outer had to be about 8-10mm thick. i see yours ain't that think or recessed. what plate is used to make the rings if i may ask you?
here in South Africa we do not have these accessories available for sale and would like to make my own. machining and plasma cutting ain't a problem.
thx
Steve

i have now done a few sets of beadlocks and did most of my welds in 1 to 5 passes, and didnt' grind the start stops, but filled the weld pool properly if did a start stop. as said above some where done in 1 pass.

only one has a leak about of about 20 wheels, and it's such a minor leak, takes 2 weeks to lose 20 psi.

but good write up.

Thanks for the details. This project will be on my radar this year.

Mike

great write up... but why (other than cost) not do a DIY double beadlock?