JKU08
New member
What beadlocks do you guys run? I'm looking and doing my own or just buying some, need some help!!
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Beadlocks?
- Thread starter JKU08
- Start date
Crystaliner
Doesn't know shit about wheeling
I have KCM machetes on my JK or there is ATX slabs...just ordered TR beadlocks though for the truck
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cozdude
Guy with a Red 2-Door
Do NOT make your own unless your rig is strictly a trail rig and your trailer it everywhere. Super dangerous.
Most people here run either ATX slabs or chamber pros, kmc machete, or trail ready beadlocks. I don't think you can really go wrong with any of them
metalic
Member
I know people that have and others that do run DIY beadlocks. Some are trail rigs and others do see the street. What makes them super dangerous?
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hinrichs
Caught the Bug
Atx slabs here, never had an issue with them in 4 years I have been running them
Also ran walker evans before which were great, the only thing I didn't like was how the bolt heads stick out but they are a great looking wheel
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Also ran walker evans before which were great, the only thing I didn't like was how the bolt heads stick out but they are a great looking wheel
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Just because lots of people do it doesn't mean they're safe. If you or your buddies trust them, inflate one while standing in front of the ring... I dare you. I have a friend who's been in the industry way longer than me, is VERY knowledgeable about Jeeps and was put in the hospital after his unexpectedly failed on him.
I hope you don't take this the wrong way but those rings look brand new and far from being seriously beat :crazyeyes:
mudmobeeler
Caught the Bug
Mostly what's wrong with them on a daily driver is that no matter how good you are most people don't have the necessary equipment to assure they are as close to 100% true and straight as possible. That can and will cause issues daily driving a rig at speeds and that could make it dangerous.
I would run wheels from Trail Worthy Beadlocks or the ATX Slabs leaning more towards the slabs if I was for sure driving it everyday and far distances.
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tdougherty81
New member
Hutchinson Rock Monster
metalic
Member
It was an honest question. I don't know of any failures of them. What failed on them?
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Of the bead locks I've seen on the trail and personally run, I have found that the ATX line of bead locks have the best designed, thickest and strongest rings and use the biggest bolts that are completely recessed and protected from the rocks. Spyderloc's are made by ATX and they are good as well but as much as I love the look of them, I have found that the star gets in the way of things, catches on rocks and trees and will get bent with some hard use. This in turn will throw off the balance. If there is a downside to ATX wheels, it'd be they come with too little back spacing - a good thing if you're running coil overs but otherwise, hard on your ball joints and unit bearings. I loved the look of my old Walker Evans and they worked well for me but their bolts were on the small side, too exposed and while I never broke a bolt, I have seen plenty in the past on other rigs. I do like that Trail Ready is made in the USA and I might have to give them a try next.
metalic
Member
I only run my beadlocks on the trail. I have 4 trail readys and one diy for a spare with my stickies and a set of aluminum rims I run on the street.
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Let's see, you take a steel wheel, weld on a ring and then.... what could possibly go wrong?
metalic
Member
A steel wheels a center welded in place. A good and proper weld is strong as the metal it's attached to. I'm not saying go buy a welder at Harbor Freight and weld up a set of beadlocks. If I was going to drive mine on the road with beadlocks or when I did drive mine I have Trail Readys and wouldn't do DIY. By the time you buy wheels, the kit and have them welded you not too far from a good set of wheels and the set I know that gets dd duty never had got them to balance perfect but they do drive nice. I only have a diy spare because I bought my TR's used and they don't make my wheel anymore.
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You using wheel spacers with those?
LOL!! Yeah, I get the part where a "good and proper" weld should be strong. For sure, there would never be any stress placed on the wheel or the bolts so things like fatigue minor flaws should ever be a problem. :crazyeyes:
Don't get me wrong, to each their own. I know there are plenty of guys who run DIY bead locks without any problems, I personally just don't trust them and only because of what I have seen.