Custom Cutting Wheels and Tires

The 40-series wheels from Pro-Line are often a popular choice. However, sometimes the tire you want to mount on the wheel is simply too narrow. When this happens, you’ll need to cut the wheel’s width down to match the tire. Keep in mind that you should check to make sure the tire’s diameter matches the wheel properly, as making the wheel narrow won’t cure that!

In the example below, I’m going to mount a set of Panther Pythons onto a set of Pro-Line 40 Series Wabash wheels. The Pythons are specifically meant to be used with the Traxxas Revo-style wheels, so some additional work will be necessary for the tires. I have three main reasons for going about this procedure. The first is that the Panther Pythons work exceptionally well at my local track. Also, I’m using a 23mm RD Racing axle setup. So this rules out just using the Traxxas rims. Finally, the narrowed wheels will offer me the ability to increase how far the front wheels can turn. This in effect can offer a much sharper turning radius on the track.

The first step is to mark the wheel where you want it cut. In my case, I wanted the width of a stock Traxxas wheel. So I measured in a few millimeters down from the bead channel on the inner-side of the wheel. After I made several marks all of the way around the wheel, I used a rubber band to give me a fairly straight edge and then marked the cut line around the wheel’s circumference.

Then I used my Dremel to cut along the line I had drawn. Due to the wheel flexing, some table and band saws do not work well for this step. I found a Dremel to be the easiest way to go about this. After cutting the wheel, clean up the excess material and discard it.

Since the Pythons were intended for the Revo wheels, and don’t use a traditional-sized tire bead, I cut away about half of the tire bead on the outer-facing side of the tire. I left the inner-facing bead alone however.

Then I trial fitted the tires, after having drilled a hole in the wheel. Make sure the bead on the outer-facing side of the tires fits. If it doesn’t, trim it so that it does. The inner facing bead should be lined up with the cut edge made earlier.

From there, simply glue the tire to the rim.

I also recommend following up the gluing step by running a thin bead of glue in between the wheel and the tire to further seal it from dirt.

Once all of the above steps are complete, you're ready to go.