bead lock options

3515 Views 17 Replies 10 Participants Last post by rklessdriver, Jul 12, 2010

Mud Freak

Discussion Starter · Jul 1, 2010

So now that I have had a tire come right off the rim, I am looking into what my options are for beadlocks.
I have 16.5" rims so switching to something else is not really an option without switching tires again. I have looked at those Staun internal locks, has anyone seen them, or heard anything good/bad about them? any other options that I should be looking at?
The only time I should be popping a tire off is when they get hit from the outside, an inside hit is highly unlikely in a mud pit so maybe a traditional beadlock would work as well??

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

kjett

· #2 · Jul 1, 2010

Are your running aluminum or steel wheels now? You can give the guys over at Marsh Racing Wheels a call. They don't list it on their site, but I'm sure they can make you a beadlock kit. I took a set of 15x12 aluminum wheels and added on their weld on beadlock kit/ turned them into a 15x14 set after it was all done. Here are some before and after pic's of what I went with:

Before:

The Kit:

Pre-weld:

And final:

See less See more

4

Mud Freak

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 1, 2010

I'm running steel wheels, haven't had much luck finding bead lock rings for 16.5s since locking the outside does nothing for a inside hit. But we don't really see that in mud drags. Not sure if I would have issues with just the outer ring on a 16.5??

kjett

· #4 · Jul 1, 2010

They make their own ring sets, give them a call and they can hook up. I asked what your wheels were made of just for curiosity. Steel or aluminum they can hook you up.

ehummelman

· #5 · Jul 1, 2010

You can't really beadlock a regular 16.5 rim. They have no safety bead on the rim, so there is nothing to really clamp the bead to if you know what I mean. The only 16.5 rims that are beadlocked are the H1 military rims which are a double beadlock using an internal cylinder to squeeze the tire beads to when you tighten the outer bolts. I know I'm not explaining this well, but check out the internet for this, it's easier to see in pictures. You may be better off getting a set of these, that way you can keep your tires. There's a guy on Pirate that sells recentered sets cheap (Trailworthy Fab).

Mark Laczo

· #6 · Jul 1, 2010

Beadlocks

Myron,

How low were you running your pressure ? I have lost a tire or two and it seems to happen when I drop below 7-8lbs or so. Could your tire be spinning a bit in the rim first and losing pressure then popping off ?

I think Stockton wheel in California also does some bead lock wheels.

http://www.stocktonwheel.com/

FWIW Mark

See less See more

Mud Freak

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 1, 2010

I had the rear at 14psi, I could see where it popped on the vid, hit the wall, large cloud of dust and no tire LOL.

I seen one guy weld a safety bead on the inside of the rim, about 1 1/2 inch in from the outer bead, he used a 3/16 rod and just welded it into place, then put the tire on and said he has run as low as 5psi on trails, and purposely tried to peel one off and it hasnt happened yet. That might be worth a shot for the inside, then add the ring to the outside???

kjett

· #8 · Jul 1, 2010

Those weld on rings I showed weld to the outside lip, so no cutting of the wheel and no worry about needing the safety bead. The inside goes on like normal, but the outside is clamped on with the beadlock.

LITTLEFOOT

· #9 · Jul 2, 2010

Clay at evoultuion has a set for 16.5 but i am not sure what he has for an inside option. what about the bead locks that go inside the tire, kind of like an airbag cross with inner tube. Not sure who builds them but i seen them in a four wheeler mag.

Mud Freak

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 2, 2010

Those are the staun internal beadlocks I was looking at. I just haven't run into anyone that has run them, so I have no feedback to go on yet.

seanb

· #11 · Jul 2, 2010

Here is a link for something similar to the Marsh wheels option, it makes the wheel 2" wider though, and being steel 1/4 inch plate gets heavy fast.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Beadlocks/Beadlocks.htm

http://rockstomper.netfirms.com/sho...th=23&osCsid=13db168162bf4fb930bae663010c8d4d

Locking the inner bead isnt as important as the outside unless you run very low pressures. I was also looking into the staun locks because I drive on the street, but I think bolting the tire on is still more reliable as long as the sealing surfaces are clean and smooth. Many problems people talk about with tradition beadlocks are air leaks. IMO simple is reliable.

http://www.offroaders.com/reviewbox/showproduct.php?product=371

78bronco460

· #12 · Jul 2, 2010

I run the H1 wheels, which I recentered. They are the best solution I found in my price range. Before that I used GM windshield adhesive. It's amazingly strong and cheap and will do the job for mud drags.

See less See more

Mud Freak

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 3, 2010

How much do those hummer wheels weigh??

After reading some reviews on the Stauns, I may shy away from them. They are not a really cheap option and with the problems they were having I don't think they're such a good idea.

With the lock rings, I'd like to find some that fit inside of the rim, and not set on the outside to be welded on. I want to keep the rim as narrow as possible. I'm just not sure if you actually get nuts in the back side with it that close to the rim, if that makes any sense.

Lifted Fords

· #14 · Jul 12, 2010

I got the weld on for my wheels after lossing two tires. They did add about 1" to the width. The are on the out side only but I haven't loss a bead yet. I run about 15-20 psi. I got them on ebay for about $200 US

See less See more

2

Mud Freak

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jul 12, 2010

are those 16.5s as well?

78bronco460

· #16 · Jul 12, 2010

Mud Freak said:
How much do those hummer wheels weigh??

After reading some reviews on the Stauns, I may shy away from them. They are not a really cheap option and with the problems they were having I don't think they're such a good idea.

With the lock rings, I'd like to find some that fit inside of the rim, and not set on the outside to be welded on. I want to keep the rim as narrow as possible. I'm just not sure if you actually get nuts in the back side with it that close to the rim, if that makes any sense.

They are heavy... About 40# each I'd guess. With the 120# 44" TSL's they're about 160lbs/ each.

crittersf1

· #17 · Jul 12, 2010

I run 3.5lbs of air in my 39.5 cuts with it locked only on the front, never had a problem.

rklessdriver

· #18 · Jul 12, 2010

Marsh Racing Wheels (MRW) do make 16.5 bead lock wheels. Many different wheel widths offered.

http://rockcrawler-mrt.com/beadlock wheel 16.5 inch.html

They also sell 16.5" bead lock kits so you can weld them to your existing wheels if you don't want to buy new wheels.

http://www.rockcrawler-mrt.com/beadloc-kits.html#16.5”* HEAVY DUTY BEADLocK KIT

I think that a single (outer) bead lock is all you need.

Will

See less See more

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.