Thoughts on Beadlocks (1 Viewer)

[xtiaan2000]

I recently picked up a set of beadlocks. I have heard of the benefits as far as rock protection with just normal tire bead placement with the beadlocks just being secured to the rim. I have also heard of the benefits of squeezing the tire with the beadlock, like I thought was the original purpose.
My immediate thought is to use the beadlocks to squeeze the tire so that I never have to worry about loosing a bead. Plus, if I have them I feel like I should use them to their full advantage.

Thoughts, please?

Oh by the way they look really cool, too!
Ill post pics as soon as I get them on.

 

[scrapdaddy]

I thought true bead locks weren't approved for the road, no?

 

[xtiaan2000]

That's what I have heard to. I am wondering why. As far as the cops are concerned there as so many fake beadlocks out here that they will never notice, but as far as safety I have no idea why.

 

[fj55-100]

i have walker evans beadlocks on my trail rig . purpose was to stop from loosing the bead at low psi on our local sandstone . for that they are great . cons are that they are hard to ballance .(i own a ballance machine) it make street travel less than it could be . i ran them on my 55 for 6 months which is my dd , and opted to go back to the oem steels for a more road worthey feel . Local cops told me the same story they can not tell between real locks and fakes . but our local law says not on the hghwy

 

[fj55-100]

Walker Evans rock !!! fit and finish is superb

 

[scrapdaddy]

Back in the day, we'd use screws to hold the slicks on the drag car wheels.

 

[xtiaan2000]

The rims I have are 17" and I have just got new shoes- 34"x 10.5.
Do some wheeling and plan to do the Rubicon. It is not my daily driver, but, as you all know, it is getting driven even when not out to wheel. It is just so fun to drive. I have not run with less than 20lbs, but I just got onboard air and plan to play around with the air down.

 

[bobm]

Used to run 8lbs in my 79 Toyota pickup. Stock rims and bias ply Dunlops never lost a bead. No power steering either, on board air was luxury, so had to drive to gas station after wheeling sucked.

 

[xtiaan2000]

Thanks guys

 

[xtiaan2000]

As for the balancing I have heard a lot about putting in beads. From all I have heard it is the best ever. I wonder why everyone doesnt do it. Instead they put on those weights that get bumped off.

 

[scrapdaddy]

I use the beads in my 55 and my 5500 Dodge. The Dodge has done great with them @ 70,000 miles on a set of tires. The jury is still out on the 55's tires, not enough time on them.

 

[xtiaan2000]

Sounds pretty positive.
Wonder why everyone is not using them?

 

[White Stripe]

I daily drive with beadlocks. They are not as smooth on the road compared to standard wheels. Bead locks are difficult to get sealed well. I struggled quite a bit to get them to not slowly leak. Finally I just installed heavy duty inner tubes. Without beadlocks I found often I would go wheeling and after it felt like my tires were out of balance, which they were. Turned out when I aired down, the wheel would spin in the tire and destroy the balance. I tried beads, but on occasion they would clump up and cause severe out of balance until I stopped and started again. I like my beadlocks, but I would only get them if your really need them. I just use standard weights on them, they don't fly off and they stay fairly
balanced.

 

[fj55-100]

as for beeds in the wheels . i ran them in 4 of my rigs , they never seemed to be as smooth as a good ballance , and the constant air down and air up put moisture in the beeds and made them clump up causing shaking . after 2 years of frustration in trying many brands . i took them out and went back old school ,and just lowered my expectations

 

[fj55-100]

agreed , we clock to best spot with a road force ballancer , then spray glue till tacky ,then stick ons , than a layer of aluminum duckting tape to keep the gravel out ,

 

[xtiaan2000]

Great stuff guys!
Thanks
Keep it coming if you have more thoughts on this game.
I think the beadlocks that I have are from DYIBeadlocks. Anyone heard of these things?