Lets talk about beadlock wheels

[GI Grandpa]

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.

Not on my Gladiator, but I have been running Raceline Rock Monster beadlocks on the TJ for years here in Colorado, including long drives to Moab and Hurricane, Utah with no issues.

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[kennyglm]

Not on my Gladiator, but I have been running Raceline Rock Monster beadlocks on the TJ for years here in Colorado, including long drives to Moab and Hurricane, Utah with no issues.

Thank you ! Seems like they would be just fine as long as you check the torque on the bolts on a regular basis.

 

[kennyglm]

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

i am actually looking at the 20x 10 grenades because i dont want to buy new tires

 

[willys 41]

I keep a small torque wrench in the jeep with a socket on it making it simple and easy to check torque at any time

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C8MVHQ47/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

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.

Pretty much the only people that could enforce this is a highway patrol doing a dot enforcement.

OP- not your wheel of choice but Dirty Life wheels are marked with DOT stamps on the backside
Ran highway 395 in the people’s republic of California for several years zero pull overs in regards to beadlocks.

I will say…. We run “bead grip” wheels on our two newest jeeps and are happy with the performance…. The beadlocks obviously have a place on the JK when the top is off and it’s on the rocks…. But otherwise we are much happier running the 25# bead grips on the daily on our newer jeeps. Have ran them in the snow @4psi for sure being mindful of turning…. But have not de-beaded yet.

MY $0.02…. Unless you Reallly need the beadlocks- just not worth the fuel economy hit, ball joint wear, or lift when you need to change them out. 37’s with dirty life’s come in @ 137# rech and Patagonia’s run “light”.

 

[kennyglm]

I keep a small torque wrench in the jeep with a socket on it making it simple and easy to check torque at any time

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C8MVHQ47/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Great idea

 

[antwon412]

Unless you’re super hard-core rock crawler and have to have bead locks because you’re running close to zero tire pressure, there is absolutely zero reason to have Los beside beside looks

And many many downsides. Weight, maintenance, cost, etc…

Buy some method, grip wheels, or the icon version of those

 

[Sweetums]

I already know there not DOT approved.

Have you checked your insurance policy? Some companies will void your coverage if you are in a crash with illegal parts, over your max payload/towing, etc.

Tire shops won't touch beadlocks, so you are limited to specialty off road shops.

I bounty Method Bead grips, which are DOT compliant and are nearly as good as beadlocks at keeping the tire seated.

 

[bleda2002]

I have beadlocks on both are jeeps for a combined 30k miles or so. Checked them at 500 miles, then every 5k miles at oil change, other than at 500 miles I've yet to find a loose one on 9 different wheels, obviously ymmv.

Biggest con to beadlocks is the weight, add in some really heavy falkens or nittos and you will take a mpg hit. Besides that you pretty much have to expect to mount your own tires which takes 45 min a wheel or so as most shops won't touch them and the ones that do are really expensive.

 

[WILDHOBO]

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

Weight is why I opt d out of Beadlocks. Otherwise I would have used DOT approved hutchinsons. But they were just too heavy for me. I couldn’t be happier with my nomads, and haven’t looked back. They’re amazing off road and on.

 

[kennyglm]

I have beadlocks on both are jeeps for a combined 30k miles or so. Checked them at 500 miles, then every 5k miles at oil change, other than at 500 miles I've yet to find a loose one on 9 different wheels, obviously ymmv.

Biggest con to beadlocks is the weight, add in some really heavy falkens or nittos and you will take a mpg hit. Besides that you pretty much have to expect to mount your own tires which takes 45 min a wheel or so as most shops won't touch them and the ones that do are really expensive.

there actually 6 pounds lighter than my current setup. 20x12 fuel sfj are 49 pounds and the kmc 20x10 are 43 pounds

 

[bleda2002]

there actually almost 10 pounds lighter than my current setup. 20x12 fuel sfj are 49 pounds and the kmc 20x10 are 43 pounds

50 pounds for a non beadlock? That's crazy!

 

[kennyglm]

50 pounds for a non beadlock? That's crazy!

yup that was my thought to when i tried to lift them i checked into it lol

 

[TheSolarWizard]

Weight is why I opt d out of Beadlocks. Other ode I would have used DOT approved hutchinsons. But they were just too heavy for me. I couldn’t be happier with my nomads, and haven’t looked back. They’re amazing off road and on.

The set I have incoming are 29lbs plus ~ 4 ish for the rings in a 17x9
If I remember correctly thats what my methods weighed in 8.5 width but they were also cast and the new ones are forged. Definitely not budget friendly though

 

[Wolf Island Diver]

I don't know about KMC beadlocks other than they look good. I do think the downsides are generally overstated having run beadlocks (AEV) for several years. Mine balanced far better than the stock rims and tires with 1/4 of the weight. Installation was involved but not difficult. I did it myself. I've never had more than maybe 3 or 4 bolts lose any torque in total in all the years I've had them, but only maybe 1/4 turn at most. I got lazy and stopped checking for months at a time, through seasons, temp changes, etc and deflating and reinflating the spare and all have been ok. Make a template for tightening the bolts out of cardboard. I can check the torque of all 4 wheels in about 5 minutes. Check with KMC, but I know AEV recommends replacing the bolts once a year. I have yet to do that. Sounds like a good winter weekend project.

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