Lets talk about beadlock wheels

[kennyglm]

So i am looking at the kmc grenade beadlock wheels. I like them and want them but am a bit concerned about the beadlock part for use as a mostly pavement vehicle. Does anybody have any personal experience with these wheels good or bad to help me out with making my choice ? I already know there not DOT approved.

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[aFatBird]

Pretty much any beadlock(some exceptions) aren't dot legal so just don't get pulled over, in an accident, or make some enemies. People seem to really like kmc beadlocks and I wouldn't worry about you losing a ring on the road as long as you check the bolt with a torque wrench every once in a while.

 

[TheSolarWizard]

If you’re looking for a simpler compromise the method bead grips work super well. Ive ran as low as 4psi in snow and 8 psi in rocks and never lost a bead.

if they made them in a size that would work with my new setup I would have ordered them again

as far as beadlocks, the weight is a bigger nuisance than the rings. Checking torque again a week or two after first install is important. Beyond that its up to your usage everything can wiggle loose off road

 

[Dickster]

Pretty much any beadlock(some exceptions) aren't dot legal so just don't get pulled over, in an accident, or make some enemies. People seem to really like kmc beadlocks and I wouldn't worry about you losing a ring on the road as long as you check the bolt with a torque wrench every once in a while.

Most states do not have requirements on wheels. Check your own states for requirements wheels is not on it. There for they can’t write a ticket.

Here is a great write up and guy has a $300 bounty for anyone that gets a ticket for it.

https://www.liftlaws.com/are_beadlocks_street_legal.htm


I have the wheels you looking at They are sweet! They are heavy though and no tire store will mount a tire for you, but they will at least balance them. They are not hard to mount tires but there is a little learning curve.

If your not going to use them for what they are actually intended for I would not get them. They are not worth the cost to be in the cool club and the headache of putting tires on.

 

[DarthAWM]

So i am looking at the kmc grenade beadlock wheels. I like them and want them but am a bit concerned about the beadlock part for use as a mostly pavement vehicle. Does anybody have any personal experience with these wheels good or bad to help me out with making my choice ? I already know there not DOT approved.

The part no one talks about is maintenance. You will have to check the torque on the beadlock bolts regularly(I check mine every 2-3weeks) and after wheeling. you don't want to over torque them or you risk extracting a bolt on expensive aluminum wheels. Also anti seize is your friend.

 

[Sikjeep2]

I have the Grenades, had 37s and now 40's. No issues.

 

[kennyglm]

I have the Grenades, had 37s and now 40's. No issues.

what size are you running 17s or 20s ? do they poke out of the fender well ? I am trying to keep my 20s because i dont want to by new tire also $$$$

 

[Sikjeep2]

They are 17x9 with -38 offset/ 3.5" backspace. Yes they stick out several inches.

 

[Nate88cool]

I have ran beadlocks on our JK for years now and have done many miles of road driving and no issues. But yes as stated above there's definitely maintenance with them. It's nice to be able to mount a tires yourself than pay a shop. But tightening the bolts to a specific spec (based on manufacturer) and in a certain order is very critical and very time consuming if doing 4-5 of them. Also as stated after I mount new tires I check the bolts every 200mi of road driving until 1000mi. Also I check them after the 1st couple wheeling trips where I air down to single digits. After those cycles and when I notice that none have worked loose, I just check them at every oil change/3500mi. Oh and they are almost always quite a bit heavier than a conventional style wheel so keep that in mind too.

 

[Free2roam]

Not kmc but Icon Rebound Pros are not legal.

 

[fourfa]

Not kmc but Icon Rebound Pros are not legal.

Is that what you meant to type?

 

[kennyglm]

I have ran beadlocks on our JK for years now and have done many miles of road driving and no issues. But yes as stated above there's definitely maintenance with them. It's nice to be able to mount a tires yourself than pay a shop. But tightening the bolts to a specific spec (based on manufacturer) and in a certain order is very critical and very time consuming if doing 4-5 of them. Also as stated after I mount new tires I check the bolts every 200mi of road driving until 1000mi. Also I check them after the 1st couple wheeling trips where I air down to single digits. After those cycles and when I notice that none have worked loose, I just check them at every oil change/3500mi. Oh and they are almost always quite a bit heavier than a conventional style wheel so keep that in mind too.

Thank you for the information

 

[Free2roam]

Is that what you meant to type?

Damnit LEGAL oops they are legal!

 

[fourfa]

I figured lol. I have the Rebound Pros. I was not able to get them to seat at home with small household air components, tire soap, etc. Got them in place over the beads, but could not get the beads to snap into place using air (even shop air at work). I even tried plugging all the pin holes with short bolts and rubber washers - no go. Had to take it to a tire shop with a rotating beading machine and big boy air. So if home DIY is one of the draws - you won’t get that

Also, legal or not, you might be in for an adventure. I figured, America’s Tire / Discount Tire sells the exact rims, surely they will mount them. Nope - local manager just saw “beadlock” and freaked out and refused. Discount rep on here even saw me post about it and wanted to know what shop so they could call and “educate” them. But chances are, you’ll go to a shop that has not yet been “educated” on this topic. I finally went to a local llantero, he didn’t give a shit and it was cheap and quick. So there’s that.

 

[Brojave22]

legal as in not going to pass inspection, I doubt a LE would know the difference between simulated beadlock and beadlock...has anyone on here got pulled over for them or gotten a ticket?

rock monster makes legal beadlocks DOT compliant, the worry is your going to break the ring on the street and have shrapnel flying out at cars next to you or sudden deflation while traveling at high speed

while inflated for the street they are under a lot of pressure

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