Modified XJ Cherokee Tech XJ (84-01)
All modified tech questions. If it modifies your XJ beyond stock parts ask it here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Homemade Beadlocks

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-24-2011, 05:27 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
kashwak's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Missoula, MT
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Default Homemade Beadlocks

So I have seen quite a few DIY weld on beadlock kits online (AtoZ fab, some other places too) and was considering ordering one when I remembered I have access to a plasma cam in my welding class and thought why not make my own. So does it seem like this would work, I know how to make accurate cut shapes (such as the spacing in between the holes) so it seems to me that I could come up with some beadlocks just as good as the ones you can order. Another question I had was, do welded on beadlocks work for daily driving or is there a certain speed they wobble too much at?
Old 11-24-2011, 05:42 PM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
Trev1006's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Montpelier, Ohio
Posts: 2,401
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 92
Engine: 4.0
Default

I made a set on my cnc mill and they worked great. Just lay out the holes evenly and you are good to go. You need an even weld or they will wobble a lil on the road. Oh and technically they aren't dot legal but I never got stopped.
Old 11-24-2011, 07:49 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
mtparker97's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Hampton, Virginia
Posts: 660
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Engine: none other
Default

well with the wobble if you dont get them even you can add bbs or something equal to that to help self balance while driving.
Old 11-25-2011, 08:49 PM
  #4  
Member
 
CMMC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 97+
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

If you come up with a working pattern for them I will pay for the patterns so I can have my guy here do em on his plasma table.
Old 11-25-2011, 09:33 PM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
Trev1006's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Montpelier, Ohio
Posts: 2,401
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 92
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by CMMC
If you come up with a working pattern for them I will pay for the patterns so I can have my guy here do em on his plasma table.
All u have to do is send me a pic of what you want and i can write a dxf file program that my cnc mill would read. That may work work your plaz table, do you know what software it has on it? For my pattern I just made it kind of wavy but made every thing evenly spaced off a center point. Then u cut holes for 3/8 fastener. But any evenly laid out Patten should work, just put enough bolts....I think I put 32. And make sure the clamp ring is thick enough so it wont distort when you tighten it down.
Old 11-26-2011, 03:29 AM
  #6  
Member
 
CMMC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 97+
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Cool, I will get back to you sometime really soon! Would you be interested in doin the work on the CNC? Just realized that the plasma table really doesn't like aluminum I will try to find some pics and shoot them your way in a PM or on an e-mail. PM sent
Old 11-26-2011, 10:10 AM
  #7  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
kashwak's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Missoula, MT
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Default

Originally Posted by CMMC
If you come up with a working pattern for them I will pay for the patterns so I can have my guy here do em on his plasma table.
once I get them done ill post the design for free in both plasma cam and autocad format, hoping to have the rings all cut out in the next 2 weeks. Any reccomendation on the type of metal I should use? I saw on one of the premade diy beadlocks that they use 1/4" mild steel I think.
Old 11-26-2011, 10:22 AM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
Trev1006's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Montpelier, Ohio
Posts: 2,401
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 92
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by CMMC
Cool, I will get back to you sometime really soon! Would you be interested in doin the work on the CNC? Just realized that the plasma table really doesn't like aluminum I will try to find some pics and shoot them your way in a PM or on an e-mail. PM sent
Ya I could do some cnc work.I did mine out of steel, I can machine alum. But I would assume you would have to use quite a bit thicker material. Or maybe something real stiff like jig plate.

Last edited by Trev1006; 11-26-2011 at 10:25 AM.
Old 11-26-2011, 10:24 AM
  #9  
CF Veteran
 
Gee oh Dee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 21,168
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Year: 1987
Engine: Check
Default

Moved to Advanced Tech.
Old 11-28-2011, 03:26 PM
  #10  
Member
 
bigjohnson619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I would be interested in some pics and a dxf file for the beadlocks...
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DynoGuy
Jeep Builds
52
04-26-2016 04:55 AM
Brandonrcm
Cherokee of the Month
39
09-02-2015 08:20 AM
xjh3
For sale
16
01-28-2009 08:46 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: Homemade Beadlocks



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:08 PM.