Harbor Freight MC tire changer question...

[Whooray]

Some of you have adapted the tire changer to work on our wheels .... question, what did you use  in place of the rod that came with the adaptor. I bought a 3/4 in steel rod and had to grind it down a bit to fit,. I just want it to work right.
Thanks,
Raymond (Whooray) Hill

[quexpress]

Is this what you have done? I have done this mod on mine years ago and can tell you that it works very well! 

[Whooray]

Is this what you have done? I have done this mod on mine years ago and can tell you that it works very well! 

What materal is the black rod you installed and is it threaded, if so what thread size?  Raymond

Right now have just put a 3/4 rod 3 feet long without threads in place had to grind down the end to fit. It looks like what you have done is what Im looking to do.

[mike72903]

I put a 3/4 inch threaded rod from Lowes.  Works fine.  On another note I just ordered a mojo lever and blocks.  The demount rod from HF truly sucketh.

[quexpress]

Is this what you have done? I have done this mod on mine years ago and can tell you that it works very well! 

What materal is the black rod you installed and is it threaded, if so what thread size?  Raymond

Right now have just put a 3/4 rod 3 feet long without threads in place had to grind down the end to fit. It looks like what you have done is what Im looking to do.

That pic is not mine but am set-up the same way.
I, like you, have used a generic 3/4-inch rod purchased at the hardware store. I did not need to grind it down.
With the top inverted-L shape removed, this now permits me to walk around the tire changer while installing/removing tires.

[longrider]

I purchased the same setup last year.  I cut off the original thread that came with the center rod and welded a 3/4 inch rod to it. Run it through the wheel from the bottom and thread it in.  Then I changed things up a bit.  The HF changer has only one adjustable shoe.   I pretty much copied the one so that all three can move and be snugged up to the rim.  The wheel can be centered and the rod can be used but I found out it is not really needed once the three can be tightened.  I also sandwiched a 3/4 in piece of hard rubber in between two pieces of 1/2 nylon on each of the three movable legs to grip the rim securely and protect it from scratches.  A Nomar tire bar and the job is easy now.

[quexpress]

Then I changed things up a bit.  The HF changer has only one adjustable shoe.   I pretty much copied the one so that all three can move and be snugged up to the rim.  The wheel can be centered and the rod can be used but I found out it is not really needed once the three can be tightened. 
I also sandwiched a 3/4 in piece of hard rubber in between two pieces of 1/2 nylon on each of the three movable legs to grip the rim securely and protect it from scratches.

Very interesting! 
Do you, by any chance, have any pics of these 2 mods?
Thanks! 

[salty1]

Then I changed things up a bit.  The HF changer has only one adjustable shoe.   I pretty much copied the one so that all three can move and be snugged up to the rim.  The wheel can be centered and the rod can be used but I found out it is not really needed once the three can be tightened. 
I also sandwiched a 3/4 in piece of hard rubber in between two pieces of 1/2 nylon on each of the three movable legs to grip the rim securely and protect it from scratches.

Very interesting! 
Do you, by any chance, have any pics of these 2 mods?
Thanks! 

Yes! Pics please.?  ???

[mike72903]

"The wheel can be centered and the rod can be used but I found out it is not really needed once the three can be tightened. "
I'm confused by this.  Are you referring to the center rod that threads through the tires center ?

[quexpress]

Is this what you have done? I have done this mod on mine years ago and can tell you that it works very well! 

What materal is the black rod you installed and is it threaded, if so what thread size?  Raymond

Right now have just put a 3/4 rod 3 feet long without threads in place had to grind down the end to fit. It looks like what you have done is what Im looking to do.

That pic is not mine but am set-up the same way.
I, like you, have used a generic 3/4-inch rod purchased at the hardware store. I did not need to grind it down.
With the top inverted-L shape removed, this now permits me to walk around the tire changer while installing/removing tires.

Correction:
I have done this mod quite a while ago and was wondering why I didn't have problems with the threads. 
It's because I have used a 5/8-inch rod. It is dropped down into the middle hole and is then held tight by the knob/bolt on the side of the triangle frame lower pipe.
Sorry about the misinformation ... my memory ... it's great but sometimes forgets.