DOT Approved Beadlocks? - SPONSORS HELP!

[cross_007]

Since most JK owners will be using their junk as a DD, what are our options for DOT approved beadlocks?

So far, I have only heard about one company that sells them: http://www.rockmonsterwheels.com/

VENDORS - How much for a set of these warlocks ($$$)? :aagh:

Here is a link that shows the wheels I am talking about:
http://www.expeditionswest.com/equipment/shows/Off-Road_Impact_2007/off-road_impact_07.htm

For non-JK owners, what's the word on the street? Any of you run beadlocks around town? If so, anyone have experiences with LEO enforcement on the issue that they can share? Is it a big deal?

Thanks, Chris

[TinyMan]

Here is a link for some good info on DOT approved beadlocks.

AEV Beadlock FAQs (http://www.aev-conversions.com/products/wheels/beadlock_info.php)

and AEV has a DOT compliant beadlock rim for the JK as well:

AEV Printler (https://secure.aev-conversions.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=20402016AA)

[AZScooby]

I once discussed this with a Police officer friend I had a couple of years back and he told me that the laws regarding beadlocks are very vague. When asked if he could look it up he said he couldn't even find it. Now I'm not saying go out and buy any set of beadlocks. But if you did, you probably wouldn't get a ticket. There are probably going to be people argue with me on this. I do know that American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) has DOT beadlocks and I believe Poison Spyder Customs does as well.

[cross_007]

Ok, this raises another question. I have also been considering just doing cheap black steelies (due to budget constraints) and asked Emery at Discount about the simulated beadlocks and he said they aren't worth it cause the little bolts just get sheared off on the rocks and they won't last.

Based on this info, I compared (see pics below) the AEV beadlock bolts to the bolts on the Simu-beadlocks and the bolts around the bead look very similar and kind of weak in comparison to the beasts used on hutchinson's wheels. Seems like the hutchinson's are made to last and the other two will get trashed after a few runs.

Agree? Disagree? FO' SHO...beasts FO' SHO???

Talk amongst yourselves...:drummer:

Unique Simu-Beadlocks******************AEV Pintler Beadlocks
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z158/cross_0072007/UniqueSimulatedBeadlock.jpghttp://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z158/cross_0072007/AEVPintler.jpg

Hutchinson Beadlocks
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z158/cross_0072007/HutchinsonBeadlock.jpg



and AEV has a DOT compliant beadlock rim for the JK as well:

AEV Printler (https://secure.aev-conversions.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=20402016AA)

[AZScooby]

You brought up a valid point with beadlocks. The best option for any beadlock rim is one without the bolts exposed. Another option and probably the best, which I forgot about is the Staun Internal beadlock system. Check out www.staunproducts.com. This will allow you to use any rim as well as having the ability to still limp around in the event of your tire going completely flat.

[Pac8541]

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=30104

[westy]

DOT approved or not, you will not have any problems with the LEO in AZ running beadlocks. I've ran Allied beadlocks for awhile and never been stopped, or had any issues on the trail.

The AEV beadlocks wont get trashed, they will hold up fine. They are similiar to Champion's and OMF style.

[Symon623]

with all the wheels that are fake B/L's it'd be tough for a LEO to do anything on the side of the road.

I know guys that have been runnin B/L's for 10± years on rigs that are sriven on the street all the time and haven't had any issues at all.

[Markos]

Since most JK owners will be using their junk as a DD, what are our options for DOT approved beadlocks?

So far, I have only heard about one company that sells them: http://www.rockmonsterwheels.com/

VENDORS - How much for a set of these warlocks ($$$)? :aagh:

Here is a link that shows the wheels I am talking about:
http://www.expeditionswest.com/equipment/shows/Off-Road_Impact_2007/off-road_impact_07.htm

For non-JK owners, what's the word on the street? Any of you run beadlocks around town? If so, anyone have experiences with LEO enforcement on the issue that they can share? Is it a big deal?

Thanks, Chris

Chris,

Have you broken a bead while offroading in your JK? I have ratchet straps, a CO2 tank, and a hi-lift. All these tools can be used in the rare situation that I break a bead. If I were to purchase beadlocks, it would be the stauns. The only thing they are lacking is the extra protection on the wheel lip. I honestly think that running bead locks on a daily driver is a good way to get your wheels (or jeep) stolen. DOT approved or not, you still need to monitor the bolts on the locking ring.

[cross_007]

Thanks Pac...rep points coming your way.
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=30104

[cross_007]

Sadly, yesth...I can confirm that I was the n00b :mickey: on the sunflower mine loop run that lost 2 tires to sidewall plus had a 3rd tire lose a beed. Thus my passion around nipping this problem in the bud. On a positive note, I can confirm that 4 people on that run learned how to plug a tire and also how to reseat a bead on the trail, so it was not a wasted run by any means.

Hmmm....I have a Hi Lift...maybe I should forget the beadlocks and go cheap steelies and use the money I'll save to get a CO2 setup :drool5: and some ratchet straps because I agree with the other post...beadlocks will probably attract thieves. :kenny:


Chris,

Have you broken a bead while offroading in your JK? I have ratchet straps, a CO2 tank, and a hi-lift. All these tools can be used in the rare situation that I break a bead. If I were to purchase beadlocks, it would be the stauns. The only thing they are lacking is the extra protection on the wheel lip. I honestly think that running bead locks on a daily driver is a good way to get your wheels (or jeep) stolen. DOT approved or not, you still need to monitor the bolts on the locking ring.

[Duality]

ive never had issues in az with leo and non dot parts. Hell, I even ran a german plate on the back of a car with my az plate in the back seat for a year and never got pulled over. Had euro headlights that were setup for rhd vehicles and no problem.


Get what you like and dont worry about it.

[Lonnie]

Sadly, yesth...I can confirm that I was the n00b :mickey: on the sunflower mine loop run that lost 2 tires to sidewall plus had a 3rd tire lose a beed. Thus my passion around nipping this problem in the bud. On a positive note, I can confirm that 4 people on that run learned how to plug a tire and also how to reseat a bead on the trail, so it was not a wasted run by any means.

Hmmm....I have a Hi Lift...maybe I should forget the beadlocks and go cheap steelies and use the money I'll save to get a CO2 setup :drool5: and some ratchet straps because I agree with the other post...beadlocks will probably attract thieves. :kenny:

X2 on what Markos said then get your self a better set of tires that will hold up to off road abuse. Especially if your running the cheap ***** tires that came on your JK. You really need to get a decent tire with a good sidewall and you shouldn't have too much trouble.

[cross_007]

Got the new tires already: http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=30255

Just need to decide on the wheels.

X2 on what Markos said then get your self a better set of tires that will hold up to off road abuse. Especially if your running the cheap ***** tires that came on your JK. You really need to get a decent tire with a good sidewall and you shouldn't have too much trouble.

[Markos]

Sadly, yesth...I can confirm that I was the n00b :mickey: on the sunflower mine loop run that lost 2 tires to sidewall plus had a 3rd tire lose a beed. Thus my passion around nipping this problem in the bud. On a positive note, I can confirm that 4 people on that run learned how to plug a tire and also how to reseat a bead on the trail, so it was not a wasted run by any means.

Hmmm....I have a Hi Lift...maybe I should forget the beadlocks and go cheap steelies and use the money I'll save to get a CO2 setup :drool5: and some ratchet straps because I agree with the other post...beadlocks will probably attract thieves. :kenny:

Well that's a better answer than no. So you have some passed experiences to lean you towards bead locks. I figuread that I won't be getting that much leverage to break a bead on my 30" BFG's, but I'm sure it's possible. I'd like the peace of mind of running the stauns, but that is a serious amount of cash to drop on an item that will benefit my situation 5% of the time. I have other priorities like additional armor that will be more likely to get used.

In case you were wondering about CO2 and ratchet straps, here is a decent article (never mind the H2 content).

http://hummer.off-road.com/hummer/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=263809

To reseat a bead with CO2, jack up the truck until the tire is clear of the ground. Wrap a good 10,000lb ratchet strap around the circumference of the tire, and crank it down until the tire folds a little bit, and the inside of the tire is touching the rim all the way around. Remove the valve stem core, and apply the hose from your CO2 system to the hollow valve stem. Now let the CO2 rip at the highest pressure your regulator will allow. Stand back, and watch as the tire pops back into place on the rim and inflates. If you hear air leaking from somewhere around the rim, push on that side of the tire to close any gaps until the tire starts to inflate and hold air. The ratchet strap will be under heavy load once the tire inflates, so use care when you release it. Sometimes it is easier to just swap on a spare, and then reseat the bead while the tire is off the truck, but either way, having a CO2 tank is going to make the job go faster. By the way, don’t forget to put the valve stem core back in once your tire starts to hold air!


The hi-lift is mainly used to break a bead.

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

Chris, great score on the tires! Welcome to the world of KM2's!!! That makes 3 of us!! You really do not beadlocks with those tires unless you plan on deflating down past 10psi. I run 37" with 17" wheels and never lost a bead yet going to 10-11 psi. Its your call! As mentioned AEV pintlers are the better deal out ther $269 a wheel and DOT approved as well are rockmonsters @$469 a wheel....Its only money!!! I am thinking of getting a set of black WE or getting the AEV pinters and PD them flat black! In the end about the same price if not more!

Jason

[FlexyXJ]

I CANT SCREAM IT LOUD ENOUGH!!!! STAY AWAY FROM STEEL WHEELS ON A JK!!!! You will have so many ESP/ERM issues it will drive you crazy, even if you reprogam the computer and open the steering parameters up to 5 degrees. They are factory set @ 1 degree, but the option is there for 3 degree and 5 degree. The problem is those stel wheels with a weld on bead lock is usually shaped like an egg. The computer does not like that. I run Walker Evans on my JK with no weights on them to balance a 37" Baja Claw. NOT ONE 1/4 once!!! I will be putting 20" Walkers on when I swap to Long arm, coil-over and 40's this spring. The AEV pintler wheel is good also, but very spendy. When putting wheels on a JK ALWAYS use some type of Cast or Forged wheel and stay away from ssteel wheels.


Joe
Absolute Offroad
602.248.8949





Ok, this raises another question. I have also been considering just doing cheap black steelies (due to budget constraints) and asked Emery at Discount about the simulated beadlocks and he said they aren't worth it cause the little bolts just get sheared off on the rocks and they won't last.

Based on this info, I compared (see pics below) the AEV beadlock bolts to the bolts on the Simu-beadlocks and the bolts around the bead look very similar and kind of weak in comparison to the beasts used on hutchinson's wheels. Seems like the hutchinson's are made to last and the other two will get trashed after a few runs.

Agree? Disagree? FO' SHO...beasts FO' SHO???

Talk amongst yourselves...:drummer:

Unique Simu-Beadlocks******************AEV Pintler Beadlocks
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z158/cross_0072007/UniqueSimulatedBeadlock.jpghttp://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z158/cross_0072007/AEVPintler.jpg

Hutchinson Beadlocks
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z158/cross_0072007/HutchinsonBeadlock.jpg

[BRUZR]

Ok, this raises another question. I have also been considering just doing cheap black steelies (due to budget constraints) and asked Emery at Discount about the simulated beadlocks and he said they aren't worth it cause the little bolts just get sheared off on the rocks and they won't last.

Unique Simu-Beadlocks
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z158/cross_0072007/UniqueSimulatedBeadlock.jpg I run these and I believe the bolts in the "ring" are grade 8, but regardless, I've never even touched the bolts on anything and my wheels are CHEWED on the outer edge. They're also a cheap upgrade from the regular black steelies, as they have a thicker bead and don't bend as easlily.

[over's tj]

I run Champion converted Centerline Aluminum wheels

A few things I have learned about wheeling in AZ and bead locks

-Safety, I dont think anyone has mentioned how important BL are when wheeling aired down jeeps, I have seen 2-3 bad rollovers due to side load bead blow (on climbs and just on big rocks) even if your not doing crazy stuff all the time, just that one time you roll a tire off the rim may be the big one, it happens more then most think "you will need alot more then a Hi-Lift, rachet strap and Co2 after a roll"

-the other big deal (for me) was SPINNING the WHEELs inside the TIRE, before I got BL (both with 33" and 35" tires LS diff and lockers) I would slip the rims inside the tires when aired down, if its a DD it will vibrate all over the road till you get your wheels reballanced, don't think it happens, mark your valve stem position on your tires and ck them after wheeling, the rears will slip the most

-the law, IMO you will not get bothered just for your wheels, but if your whole rig or driving style attracts the po po and you deserve it (for other reasons) the man will go down the list of violations, who knows, I have never had a problem

-the BL that have the huge flamed, etc. decrative lock rings may be cool to some but they may attract the wrong attn. and they just weigh more then basic lock rings

-Champion Wheels say its better to grind on the bolts and replace them when needed compared to countersunk or domes

-I have never had my BL bolts loosen, but you should check them and be carefull and take your time torquing ring bolts down and use ant-sieze, If one tire shop will not ballance them go to another and try to use the (road force type ballancer)