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Bead lock or not?

raypla

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Havent had a chance to do an real time weight but method 705 +25mm BFG AT 37 C should only be a couple lbs heavier than oe rubicon rims with falcons, the adjusted speedo with a tazer did wonders. Nate from Dirt lifestyle on YouTube has run them down to single digit psi and kept the bead. I highly recommend them.
Jeep Gladiator Bead lock or not? AA3F48B7-1AFC-44D3-8280-16E6B03BA941
Jeep Gladiator Bead lock or not? F465A298-3BAA-4085-9F65-69BF24D16E62
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jac04

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Thanks...but for what it's worth...I wasn't quoting his post or information. I was responding to the OP's direct question of whether he should invest in bead locks or not.
My misunderstanding. You quoted TheTrailGeek's direct reply to hjdca's post specifically about Method "Bead Grip" wheels. That's what threw me off.
 

Discount Tire

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I have had the Method "Bead Grip" Rims for a few years now. This is my second set of 37" tires on them. I also had the first set of 37" Goodyear MTR tires flipped on the Rims. "All the work has been done by Americas Tire, Discount Tire. We reused two of the worn out 37" Goodyear MTRs as Spares. I am now running 37" yokohama geolandar mt g003 tires. No problems with the Rims whatsoever.
Note: I am running 37" tires with 17" rims, so, there is a ton of sidewall and I live in a warm climate. With all this rubber sidewall, I cannot imagine an issue with mounting and dismounting these tires on the bead grip rims. Maybe, the story you heard was with a much less sidewall that was stiff and somehow fused to the rim in cold weather ?
The bead grip works well. The lowest PSI I usually run is 12 psi, but, I am usually at 14 PSI off-road. The Geolandars have a soft sidewall, so, I never need to go below that so far. I have not noticed any tire "spinning" on the rims, ie. requiring rebalance. I am mostly in low gear rock crawling or cruising, I am not a high speed 4wheeling type. Anyway, Americas Tire/Discount Tire offers free rotation and re-balance every 5K miles, so, I take advantage of that with the Gladiator to get the longest life out of my tires.
My method rims have been scratched up a lot by the rocks. I have the flat black, and I usually paint them with Flat black paint (paint brush) when I get back from wheeling. This makes them look new. I would higly recommend the Flat Black, so, you can keep them looking good with some flat black paint.
I have not had any breakage with my drive line and the 37 inch tires, so, the lack of weight may have helped me.
I would buy the Method Rims again.
Note: I also like the 37" yokohama geolandar mt g003 tires - much better than the 37" Goodyear MTRs - both on road and off road.
Thank you for the feed back, and your patronage. We do appreciate your business.
 

whysoserious

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I think one would have to contact the individual wheel manufacturer to find out if their beadlocks are DOT compliant. However, since tires and wheels are vehicle equipment that is regulated by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, I feel fairly comfortable saying that wheels need to be DOT compliant for on-highway use. Icon Vehicle Dynamics has a Youtube video explaining why their Rebound Pro wheels are DOT compliant and unlike a traditional beadlock (have to find that one again). They also state in the video that wheel manufacturers are required to meet certain DOT compliance items for on-highway use. Two of those are that the wheel itself requires no periodic maintenance and in the event of a sudden failure of the wheel and tire system, the wheel must retain the tire. Would a beadlock ring fail to the point of the tire bead coming loose from the wheel? I don't know. But I do recall seeing that CFR requirement section somewhere (I'll see if I can find it). Do beadlocks require periodic maintenance? Yes. Method has a big disclaimer on the Beadlock Guidelines that says, "BEADLOCK WHEELS ARE DESIGNED, ENGINEERED AND INTENDED FOR OFF-HIGHWAY USE ONLY AND ARE NOT DOT APPROVED." They further require the ring bolts to be re-torqued every 250 miles. That sounds suspiciously like periodic maintenance. Either the bolts are coming loose (backing out) or they are incrementally stretching.

So, yes, I think they are technically illegal if not DOT compliant. Are you going to get a ticket? Not likely unless you come across the right LEO and there is a code section in that state that requires compliance with DOT.

My $0.02.
 

Wheelin98TJ

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I think one would have to contact the individual wheel manufacturer to find out if their beadlocks are DOT compliant. However, since tires and wheels are vehicle equipment that is regulated by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, I feel fairly comfortable saying that wheels need to be DOT compliant for on-highway use. Icon Vehicle Dynamics has a Youtube video explaining why their Rebound Pro wheels are DOT compliant and unlike a traditional beadlock (have to find that one again). They also state in the video that wheel manufacturers are required to meet certain DOT compliance items for on-highway use. Two of those are that the wheel itself requires no periodic maintenance and in the event of a sudden failure of the wheel and tire system, the wheel must retain the tire. Would a beadlock ring fail to the point of the tire bead coming loose from the wheel? I don't know. But I do recall seeing that CFR requirement section somewhere (I'll see if I can find it). Do beadlocks require periodic maintenance? Yes. Method has a big disclaimer on the Beadlock Guidelines that says, "BEADLOCK WHEELS ARE DESIGNED, ENGINEERED AND INTENDED FOR OFF-HIGHWAY USE ONLY AND ARE NOT DOT APPROVED." They further require the ring bolts to be re-torqued every 250 miles. That sounds suspiciously like periodic maintenance. Either the bolts are coming loose (backing out) or they are incrementally stretching.

So, yes, I think they are technically illegal if not DOT compliant. Are you going to get a ticket? Not likely unless you come across the right LEO and there is a code section in that state that requires compliance with DOT.

My $0.02.
State vehicle codes define what is legal and illegal.

I have never seen a state vehicle code that requires wheels be DOT approved.
 

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jeep1

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Hutchison claims they're deadlocks to be street legal. I love mine but they certainly aren't light at 35lbs per wheel.

https://www.hutchinsoninc.com/rock-monster-internal-double-beadlock-system/

And yes... all beadlocks require more maintenance. I was checking the KMC XD231s on our JL and found probably a dozen bolts across the five wheels that no longer tightened to spec. Certainly would be a bad day to have your beadlock ring to come off.....
 

sharpsicle

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State vehicle codes define what is legal and illegal.

I have never seen a state vehicle code that requires wheels be DOT approved.
It's SAE J2530 that defines this, and beadlocks do not meet this standard. As SAE is referenced to cover 'safe operation' in many state laws, it begins to apply here. This is why beadlocks are marketed for off-road use only, not because of specific laws calling them out but because they don't meet the SAE standards and therefore could potentially be considered 'less safe'.
 

Wheelin98TJ

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It's SAE J2530 that defines this, and beadlocks do not meet this standard. As SAE is referenced to cover 'safe operation' in many state laws, it begins to apply here. This is why beadlocks are marketed for off-road use only, not because of specific laws calling them out but because they don't meet the SAE standards and therefore could potentially be considered 'less safe'.
Do you have an example of a state that references this?

If you can find something, these guys will donate $300 in your name:

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

whysoserious

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State vehicle codes define what is legal and illegal.



I have never seen a state vehicle code that requires wheels be DOT approved.
California Vehicle Code:

24005 - It is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, lease, install, or replace, either for himself or as the agent or employee of another, or through such agent or employee, any glass, lighting equipment, signal devices, brakes, vacuum or pressure hose, muffler, exhaust, or any kind of equipment whatsoever for use, or with knowledge that any such equipment is intended for eventual use, in any vehicle, that is not in conformity with this code or regulations made thereunder.

24011 - Whenever a federal motor vehicle safety standard is established under federal law (49 U.S.C. Sec. 30101 et seq.), no dealer shall sell or offer for sale a vehicle to which the standard is applicable, and no person shall sell or offer for sale for use upon a vehicle an item of equipment to which the standard is applicable, unless:

(a) The vehicle or equipment conforms to the applicable federal standard.

(b) The vehicle or equipment bears thereon a certification by the manufacturer or distributor that it complies with the applicable federal standards. The certification may be in the form of a symbol prescribed in the federal standards or, if there is no federal symbol, by a symbol acceptable to the department.
 

sharpsicle

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Do you have an example of a state that references this?

If you can find something, these guys will donate $300 in your name:

https://www.liftlaws.com/are_beadlocks_street_legal.htm
"Safe operating condition" is all over the place in state laws. Not sure the suggestion otherwise?

Read that site again. They're saying the same thing I am. It's not expressly illegal, but since they aren't SAE J2530 compliant, they're covering interpretations of the law where SAE may be referenced for safety standards and could be applied to beadlocks. From that very site you linked:

Jeep Gladiator Bead lock or not? 1685565730851

Jeep Gladiator Bead lock or not? 1685565760869


Again, I never said they were straight-up illegal. Neither did these guys. But I (and LiftLaws) explained why they are sold and marketed for off-road use only, and the standard for safety that they do not meet, and how interpretations could have implications. Beadlocks are in a gray area.
 

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Wheelin98TJ

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Again, I never said they were illegal...
Maybe I misinterpreted what you said in response to my post.

State vehicle codes define what is legal and illegal.

I have never seen a state vehicle code that requires wheels be DOT approved.
It's SAE J2530 that defines this, and beadlocks do not meet this standard. As SAE is referenced to cover 'safe operation' in many state laws, it begins to apply here. This is why beadlocks are marketed for off-road use only, not because of specific laws calling them out but because they don't meet the SAE standards and therefore could potentially be considered 'less safe'.

What does SAE J2530 define in regards to what I said?
 

sharpsicle

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Wheelin98TJ

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SAE J2530 is specifically about the testing and performance of aftermarket wheels. You can order the standard here if you want to know more about it.
https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j2530_201604/
How does it apply to State vehicle code?

Earlier you said it related to safe vehicle operation. I asked for an example because I am not aware of anything like this in Michigan vehicle code.
 

sharpsicle

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How does it apply to State vehicle code?

Earlier you said it related to safe vehicle operation. I asked for an example because I am not aware of anything like this in Michigan vehicle code.
Why are you asking me? Go check out your state's laws. They vary state-to-state. I already said that state laws aren't defining the criteria for beadlocks anyway. I said that SAE is the problem, and if someone uses SAE as the standard for defining safe equipment (which isn't a stretch by any means), traditional beadlocks wouldn't pass.

You must be thicker than a bowl of oatmeal my friend.
 

Wheelin98TJ

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Why are you asking me? Go check out your state's laws. They vary state-to-state. I already said that state laws aren't defining the criteria for beadlocks anyway. I said that SAE is the problem, and if someone uses SAE as the standard for defining safe equipment (which isn't a stretch by any means), traditional beadlocks wouldn't pass.

You must be thicker than a bowl of oatmeal my friend.
I was asking because you brought it up when you quoted me. I hoped you had more details.

Thanks for your answers to my questions.
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