Beadlocks

WolfGT

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#1
Been looking at tires and beadlocks for a bit. I searched this forum to see if there was a post that went through recommendations on manufacturers of beadlocks with their pros and cons but couldn't find anything. So after some research I see the "Rock-A-Thon Steel Beadlock Competition Rock Crawling Wheel" from Allied. It looks like it has some great features that help it seat well and also center well. So I have two questions:
1. Has anyone ran them or know anyone with them that can give an opinion.
2. Where the heck to you buy them. All I can find is articles about them but I can't find a vendor or price anywhere.

I also welcome any input on other beadlocks out there.
 
#2
They are steel beadlocks. Are you trying to drive it on the road or keep them offroad only? I dont think the cost of new steel beadlocks are worth it when you can buy cheap steelies and DIY's for way cheaper and get the same thing more or less. If i was to spend money on some beadlocks, i'd buy aluminum, because i drive it on the road and i've heard nothing but bad things about steel beadlocks and road driving.
 
#3
Yes, you can run them on the street. Like any other beadlock, it is possible to balance them.

Weld on DIY beadlock companies are everywhere. Here's some I'm currently looking into myself:

http://www.atozfabrication.com/store/Weld-On-Bead-Lock-Kits.html
http://www.tmrcustoms.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_16&products_id=474
http://www.offroadoverstock.com/index.php?p=product&id=8&parent=12
http://www.greatlakeoffroad.com/GLO-DIY-Weld-On-Bead-Locks.html
http://www.kore4x4customs.com/index...art&page=shop.browse&category_id=14&Itemid=54

Those are just a few I've been looking at in the $239 to $300 range. The real PITA is that none of them come with hardware. The hardware kits I've seen are around $100 range for grade 8. Shipping for a complete set of rings plus hardware is about $65 at the cheapest! :eeek:

There's a company (Cole Motorsports) in Sc that makes them. This is on Gulches forum. Their price is now $250 for a 15" with several design options and hardware included. Only bad thing is they have had to stop buying the plate steel because of rapidly rising steel cost but after talking with the guy he is still willing to cut them.
http://www.gulchesorvpark.com/bb/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5420

As far as wheels go, you can usually find a fairly new, good condition used set of steelies for around $100 to $200 bucks if you don't already have them. It's gonna add up especially when you pay someone to weld them up for you. I'll have around $500 invested in mine including buy the wheels, hardware and rings. And that's with doing all the welding, mounting and balancing myself. Is it worth it? Yes. And they are quite heavy. But if you do as planned and run axles strong enough to handle the tire size you should be fine. I never had a problem with my 15x10 DIY beadlocks with 35's. I do recommend using a 15x8 though since the added inner ring will essentially turn a 8" wide wheel into a 9" when you get done. That's plenty wide enough for up to a 14" wide tire IMO.
 
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WolfGT

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#5
And of course, the day after I ask about beadlocks, I pop a bead at Gulches. Kind of. My right front got bound up and I tried to turn it when I shouldn't have and heard a big rush of air. I turned back quickly and it stopped. I thought I saved it but on sort of. When I went to air back up, every time I got to about 25psi, it would start to leak out of the bead. I drove it to Laurens that way to see if it would leak more. Went to a gas station and put more air in, it started to leak again. I kicked the living crap out of it and it stopped leaking. Must have been dirt in there. lol.

But, it appears that my rims are on their last leg. I am beating them up more and more. So the big project begins in an attempt to be ready for Windrock in a month. Brooks, you were right in asking about a budget lift and new tires. I think I'm going to do it. But now I am getting off topic of this thread. So I will go start another with the questions I have. As for this thread, where can you buy the allied rock-a-thons?
 

WolfGT

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#6
The way I see it, the DIY kits would only be beneficial if I was already sitting on a set of steel wheels. If I have to go and buy everything and then build it all, I really don't save much over buying them off the shelf.
 

WolfGT

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#9
I'm talking with the guy. He has a tentative deal but he isn't sure if it will fall through. If it does, their mine.
 
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