Beadlock Wheels DIY

[rwhite692]

Since it is almost time to start driving this 72 Blazer around (I purchased it from a guy who had let it sit for 15 years), I needed to put tires on it.

I decided to run BFG KM2s in 35/12.5/15.

Since I intend to air down on trails, I decided to build up a set of beadlock wheels.

I bought 5 Summit "Soft-8" steelies in 15x8 and a set of weld-on beadlocks from Chassis Unlimited. (With the additional width because of the beadlock, it is like running about a 9" wide rim).

Since they are local to me, I was able to stop by Chassis Unlimited during my lunch hour and watch them cut my parts on their laser table:



First I had to prep the wheels by removing paint/powdercoat from the rim lip with a flap disc where the inner beadlock rings are to be welded:



Also stripped paint from the opposite side of the lip, since the paint/powdercoat smokes and stinks to high heaven when it burns



Then the inner ring is ready to weld in:





I welded in stages, about 5" of bead at a time, alternating to different sections of the wheel to keep things from getting too hot




Then welded on the anti-coning rings (these prevent the force of the bolts from bending the outer clamping ring into an inverted "cone" when they are torqued down) - followed by a little paint