Beadlock discussion...

[Rottwheeler]

So I'm planning to buy some bead locks soon and I am want to query the vast knowledge within this forum.

1) Would you own/use bead locks and if yes, which brand and why?

2) Would you own/use Staun internal bead locks and, if yes, why?

3) If you would not use either, why?

I am currently considering Raceline Monster bead locks for my LJ...

Thanks for any info you care to share!

[White trash]

I've ran several different weld on setups and been pleased with 3 out of 4 of them. The one was crap but hey, they were cheap the cheapest!


Stauns are nice enough but I know a guy that had issues with them. Supposedly inner air locks are a step better than stauns and cheaper. If you do go with an inflatable beadlock I'd highly recommend welding on some outer bead protection.


I don't think any of the big wheel manufacturers make a bad beadlock so pick which style you like and whip out the visa card. My only recommendation with them is to pick a forged wheel rather than a cheaper cast wheel so you know it'll be around for years to come.

[Rottwheeler]

I don't think any of the big wheel manufacturers make a bad beadlock so pick which style you like and whip out the visa card. My only recommendation with them is to pick a forged wheel rather than a cheaper cast wheel so you know it'll be around for years to come.

Thanks for your comments! While substantially higher in price than other types of construction... I do understand that forged aluminum wheels are lighter and more durable.

For anyone interested... I found this FourWheeler article: http://www.fourwheeler.com/product-revi ... r-s-guide/

[klinger]

I've been mulling the idea myself. When I was in the Marine Corp our stuck vee's had bead locks with an insert inside the rim. The rim itself was 2 piece which allows you to mount and dismount a tire on the trail, which allows you to not have to carry a spare rim just a tire. I know there is a after market style rim that does the same thing but I can't remember the name of the company, but they do advertise in 4 wwd and I think jp.

[White trash]

I've been mulling the idea myself. When I was in the Marine Corp our stuck vee's had bead locks with an insert inside the rim. The rim itself was 2 piece which allows you to mount and dismount a tire on the trail, which allows you to not have to carry a spare rim just a tire. I know there is a after market style rim that does the same thing but I can't remember the name of the company, but they do advertise in 4 wwd and I think jp.

Hutchinson is the company that makes both the HMMV wheels and the DOT approved aluminum version you are thinking of. Boyscout has a set on his tj. They are a nice wheel, heavy, crazy expensive if you have to pay retail and an absolute pain in the tail feathers to get the tire off of but they are freaking sweet wheels!

The HMMV wheels are much easier to deal with since the older ones are 16.5" so they have no safety bead hence the NEED for beadlocks on the HMMV. The newer version of the HMMV wheels are 17" so you have a much better selection of tires to choose from that aren't designed for heavy loads so they have a much more pliable sidewall in most cases.

[scumby]

I have the HMMV wheels recentered to my bolt pattern, you can have them recentered to whatever. However the back spacing is limited I believe to 3.5". for me that creates an issue using full size axles, I'm wider than seemingly everyone. which you may have seen the discussion on rimrock. as for the beadlock itself I have not had any issues and I have the 8 bolt HMMV wheels. when speaking with the owner of Trailworthy.com (who has unlimited access to whatever he wants (i.e. 8 bolt, 12 bolt, 16bolt?) he himself uses 8 bolt)). I do you the insert which creates a double beadlock.

my tires are entirely separate issue. I went with the 16.5" treadwright retreaded HMMV tires. I wouldn't say it's a stiff sidewall but it is a hard sidewall. the difference? it flexes but if it hit something hard it breaks or tears the sidewall. I've gone through one a second is near. the price is good for a 37 @ $205 a piece but the amount i'll go through before I switch will be more costly. this is the reason I skipped weber. as klinger said, really I do not need a spare wheel just a spare tire and 30 minutes.

need more info? just ask for an additional $.02.

Al

[Nukegumby]

I've been using inflatable bead locks for awhile and haven't ever had a problem. That said, most of my experience (okay...almost ALL of my experience) is on medium to easy trails. I'm not sure I've ever really tested them and I don't know what complaints there are out there about them.

-Mikey-

[Lurch]

I run a diy beadlock and have had good luck with them. I wouldn't recommend them for a daily driver because they don't balance all that well. I have also lost an inner bead while running them. So they are not the end all fix. But The added security when running low pressure on a side hill is nice.

[tobyw]

I ran Staun's on my '03 Rubicon, and they were problematic to say the least... I experienced multiple pinch flats on the innertubes, and the whole experience just left a bad taste in my mouth. Since then, I have actually had great luck just running OEM wheels (on many, many Jeeps), even at low single digit pressure. Granted I typically only wheel the moderate speed bumps around Columbia Center Mall, but... What is pushing you toward wanting beadlocks?

[Rottwheeler]

Just confidence in the reliability of my rig really. Also, to be honest, I've had two back surgeries and being bent over for any length of time causes me a good deal of pain. So, if I can do something that assures I will never break a bead and be forced to work at getting it re-seated on the trail is a plus for me. Then again, it has never happened to me (OEM Jeep wheels only to date)... so maybe it isn't necessary?

[OldGreen]

In THAT case, Hutchinson Rock Monsters are the deal.

The only issue with them (other than $$$) is how heavy they are. I think 46lbs each which is about double what a standard wheel weights.

Lately, I've seen a few inner beads lost on rigs that have standard beadlocks. For a wheeler, double beadlocks are the way to go and rockmonsters, recentered hummers, and/or Stazworks are more reliable than the innertube style double locks.

If you think about the use case for a traditional outer beadlock, you can easily understand why they work well in some cases, but not in others. They were originally used in high speed applications. In a corner, all of the force is on the outer bead of the outside tires. . .but, off road. . .could be anywhere, anytime. . .

[tobyw]

In THAT case, Hutchinson Rock Monsters are the deal.

Jim is dead on IMO given your situation and thought process. Hutchinson or stick it out with what you're running.

[Wrongway]

I would agree...

Hutchinson if your wallet is fat!

Best on the market. /drool...

http://www.hutchinsoninc.com/CMS/index. ... y-Beadlock

Ebay sales - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hutchinson-Whee ... 81&vxp=mtr

[Wrongway]

I see they sell for 439 + Shipping everywhere!..

I'm a dealer for them, but the best I can do is $417+shipping.

I can save ya a few dollars.

If you have any others you're interested in, I can probably order them cheaper for you.

peace..