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Do you really need beadlocks?

Tech Tim

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wibornz

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If you live in a state where they conduct vehicle inspections, then they "might" find out. Otherwise, most cops neither know nor care about beadlocks.

However, if your vehicle were to be involved in a serious or fatal crash, then chances are they will find out. They will conduct a post-crash investigation where the vehicles are inspected to determine if any component(s) failed and contributed to the crash. IF your bead lock failed and they're not DOT approved, this could be a basis for negligence, both criminally and civilly. This would be no different if your vehicle had inoperable/improperly maintained brakes, too low of tire tread, etc.
While bead lock wheels may not be DOT approved, there are no laws on the books that make it illegal or requires a wheel to be DOT approved for on road use.
 

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Man this thread is gold lol.

@joetimmons - if you want beadlocks, get them, just make sure you do the maintenance and install them correctly. If you don't want to do the maintenance and install, get normal wheels and run ~15+ psi.
 

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If you don't want to do the maintenance and install, get normal wheels and run ~15+ psi.
Or double beadlocks that use 16 - 1/2" bolts with triple digit torque numbers so maintenance is virtually existent! ??
 

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Or double beadlocks that use 16 - 1/2" bolts with triple digit torque numbers so maintenance is virtually existent! ??
After having just finished my set of KMC Riots this weekend, triple digit torque numbers with a wheel sitting on a bucket sounds like my ass would be laying on the garage floor waiting for the wife to deliver an Ibuprofen IV for my back lol
 

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After having just finished my set of KMC Riots this weekend, triple digit torque numbers with a wheel sitting on a bucket sounds like my ass would be laying on the garage floor waiting for the wife to deliver an Ibuprofen IV for my back lol
?

Milwaukee impact is your friend!



Jeep Wrangler JL Do you really need beadlocks? IMG_20230203_171016_420
 

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While bead lock wheels may not be DOT approved, there are no laws on the books that make it illegal or requires a wheel to be DOT approved for on road use.
After having just finished my set of KMC Riots this weekend, triple digit torque numbers with a wheel sitting on a bucket sounds like my ass would be laying on the garage floor waiting for the wife to deliver an Ibuprofen IV for my back lol
I paid 30 dollars and got to watch. 2 blocks from home. ?
 

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roaniecowpony

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I've never found any CA code that identifies beadlocks as not legal for highway use or states that wheels must be DOT compliant. CA probably has more vehicles running on it's roads with beadlocks than any other state. The CA Highway Patrol is also an equipment stickler. I haven't heard of anyone even getting hassled about beadlocks. YMMV.
 

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I have the stock wheels and tires on my Rubicon that I air down to approx 25psi when I am out on the trail. Max trail I go on is probably just above medium difficulty and I have never had an issue with the bead coming off the wheel. If you go rock crawling regularly and air down below (edit) 15 psi I’d probably get bead locks, but if you stick to casual to moderate trails you will probably never need them.
Ive been on dozens of wheeling trips and drop my pressure to 12psi on my 33s, rubicon wheels. You wont have issues at that psi....
 

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Do I need 42s??
Jeep Wrangler JL Do you really need beadlocks? Jeep 42s


You probably do.

P.S. old rashed up wheels currently installed are beadlocks, and no surprise,the 42s are going on beadlocks as well ;)
 
 







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