ZipZap Monster Truck Studded Tires

draft version, May 9, 2005

  Introduction
     Inspired by a post by nascar8 in an on-line forum, I set out to design my own monster truck studded tires for carpet crawling.  I estimate that the length of the stud may be varied according to intended use.  If you are interested in this tire mod, you might want to start with longer studs and trim them as you find what works best for you.
  Parts
     The following parts are required:
  • ZipZap Monster Truck tires
  • 3/4-in long escutchion pins, or suitable nails
  • metal-to-rubber adhesive (optional)
  Tools
     The tools needed for this project are:
  • 4-40 nut (used as a spacer)
  • diagonal-cutters (dikes)
  • Dremel tool with cutoff disks (to polish the stud ends)
  Fabrication
The images below show the process of creating the studded tire.  I recommend a tire which has a repetitive tread pattern by which you can locate the studs. I used a longer pin simply because it was easier for me to handle--the initial length is up to you.  I first pushed a pin through from the outside, then removed it, deformed the tire and looked for the puncture mark on the inside, and then pushed the pin through the hole from the inside.
 
Cut the pins someplace where they will not ricochet into harm's way.  I placed the 4-40 nut over each pin and used it as a spacer to get even cuts all the way around the tire.
 
Once the pins are cut to the length you need, you might want to seal them in place with a metal-rubber compatible adhesive.  Note that the adhesive will cause the tire to be a bit stiffer.
 
Finally, to keep peace in the family and not ruin furniture and other items, I polished the ends of the studs to remove the sharp cut made by the dikes.  I used the flat side of a cutoff disk in a Dremel tool to polish them down.