Are beadlock necessary?

[steffen707]

Are beadlocks really necessary? Are they for when you air down and do rock crawling?

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[Sorbs]

Are beadlocks really necessary? Are they for when you air down and do rock crawling?

My stock Rubi wheels with 35s and spacers. Air down to 18 lbs no issues but to answer your question:

Depends on how hardcore you want to go. If you plan on beating the crap out of your JT; scratching the paint off, denting every body panel, bashing all four corners and continually keeping your butt clenched every time you leave the pavement, then yes, you need them.

If you are doing some rock climbing, and want to save your stock wheels from getting rock rash, a better, cheaper, way to go is to buy some steelies and good rubber.

Bead locks are great but also know Discount/Americas Tire won’t mount them so you’ll need tire tools unless you know a 4x4 shop to do that for you.

My experience, running the Rubicon trail, California Sierras and Moab, bead locks are for serious adventurers that don’t mind scraping their tops, sides and undercarriage for the ultimate thrill ride. For me, airing down is for a more comfortable drive on the trail while driving around obstacles.

 

[steffen707]

My stock Rubi wheels with 35s and spacers. Air down to 18 lbs no issues but to answer your question:

Depends on how hardcore you want to go. If you plan on beating the crap out of your JT; scratching the paint off, denting every body panel, bashing all four corners and continually keeping your butt clenched every time you leave the pavement, then yes, you need them.

If you are doing some rock climbing, and want to save your stock wheels from getting rock rash, a better, cheaper, way to go is to buy some steelies and good rubber.

Bead locks are great but also know Discount/Americas Tire won’t mount them so you’ll need tire tools unless you know a 4x4 shop to do that for you.

My experience, running the Rubicon trail, California Sierras and Moab, bead locks are for serious adventurers that don’t mind scraping their tops, sides and undercarriage for the ultimate thrill ride. For me, airing down is for a more comfortable drive on the trail while driving around obstacles.

Nice, sounds like my kind of riding is more in line with yours. Just trying to find a set of wheels that I like, and a few beadlocks have come up, made me start wondering what the deal is with them.

 

[Bullycon]

I’ll chime in on this... having owned both Beadlock and non, I like buying once rather than twice and loose money. Both of my rigs have beadlocks on, yes you may have to find a shop to do the work or a buddy who knows how to mount them.
I have experienced the wheel loosing the bead while Aired down hence my decision to go Beadlock was made right there.

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