Icon Recon Pro or Method 703 Bead Grip

[SLTX_Rubi]

I am trying to decide between the Icon Recon Pro (Satin Black) or Method 703 Bead Grip (Bronze). I have listed the Pros and Cons of each as I see them. Let me know of anything I missed or personnel experiences.

2021 JLURD stock height with 35' tires. Distant future move up to a 2.5/3.5 lift with 37s.
Sting Gray with black top
Daily driver with some weekend excursions, Texas rock crawling and/or sandy beaches.
I will be at the Texas Spur Jeep Jamboree in March, so I need the new wheels by then to beat them up.

Pros for the Recon Pros:

• Interlock Tech
• Replaceable/paintable rash ring
• Satin Black can be roughly touched up with black paint
• 32 lbs, still lighter than bead locks
• -6mm offset close to 0
• Can go to lower psi

Cons for Recon Pros:

• Satin Black kind of gets lost with the tires
  • Bronze would be nice, but only on the Rebound
• No inner bead lock protection, even though rare instance
• Cost a little bit more, even with discounts
• More "parts" to fail
• Rust due to proximity to salt water(live on the water) and beach driving

Pros for the 703s

• Bead Grip and Safety Humps for inner and outer beads
• Lighter weight 27.28 lbs
• Bronze would look great with Sting Gray
• 0 offset
• No "parts" to worry about
• Lower price with discounts

Cons for the 703s

• Touching up the Bronze after damage
  • Could use black paint on the lip if needed, I guess
• Cannot go as low as psi and the Recon Pros
• Valve stem seems vulnerable

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[Punkn89]

I've never really been a fan of bronze wheels. Having said that, this is a YOU decision. We aren't helping you pay for anything and we don't have to live with it. Both are good brands. Go with whatever your heart desires.

 

[Jeeps2Little]

The Recon pro only holds the outer side bead, there is nothing special on the inner side of the wheel. The Method had the inner hump or ridge on both beads on the rim. Kinda depends on how low you want to go with your pressure.

Here is another recent thread on the bead grips with a video linked

 

[Ratbert]

What data points are you referring to that say the Icons can go to a lower PSI?

 

[yokramer]

The Icons have 16 holes that can leak air on top of any trash that ends up in a bead which if I were looking at them would lead me towards the Methods. I didnt get beadlocks because I didnt want to have to do maintenance on my wheels so another point for the Methods.

Also damage and scratches on your wheels show they are used and to me should be left as a badge of honor. However if you want paint to try to paint match the wheels in any way good luck it doesnt exist for the methods from what Ive been able to find youll have to get it custom made on a scan.

I am happy with my 703s, run them hard at 10psi and have only had air leakages and no bead loss ever and recommend them to anyone. The only thing is if I had to do it over again I would go 8.5 +0 rather than 9 -12

 

[Chknleggs]

Recently installed the bronze rebound pros on my JLR, got a great deal on them almost 50% off. I'm happy with them on and off road and have had no issues running them at 8-10psi thus far. Have heard of many others running similar psi with these wheels.

 

[acomputernerd]

I have 50k on my icons. They are pre rash ring and chewed up greatly from wheeling hard. There is 0 maintenance on them as regular bead locks. The o ring are standard and have to be replaced when you remove the tire from the rim. No leaks ever if you follow instructions. I’m looking for an option when I replace my at set and will most likely buy these again vs the Hutchinson that I really want. I will say I ran most of the rubicon trail at 6 psi with them not one issue. They are light as well so that’s a bonus. Had Walmart install them but I prepped the bolts and had them use my torq wrench. I keep a socket in the jeep as well since most places will not have that kind of socket laying around. Hope that helps.

Ps look for me and my Snazzberry jeep at the jamboree

 

[Aussicon]

Love the Methods - have them on my truck as well as the Jeep. Find the quality excellent.

703s on Sting Grey (also considered the Gold - really like them)

 

[Rogersocal]

I have 50k on my icons. They are pre rash ring and chewed up greatly from wheeling hard. There is 0 maintenance on them as regular bead locks. The o ring are standard and have to be replaced when you remove the tire from the rim. No leaks ever if you follow instructions. I’m looking for an option when I replace my at set and will most likely buy these again vs the Hutchinson that I really want. I will say I ran most of the rubicon trail at 6 psi with them not one issue. They are light as well so that’s a bonus. Had Walmart install them but I prepped the bolts and had them use my torq wrench. I keep a socket in the jeep as well since most places will not have that kind of socket laying around. Hope that helps.

Ps look for me and my Snazzberry jeep at the jamboree

What do you mean prep the bolts? I keep hearing people messup installing the lugs, but honestly HTF do they do that?

 

[SLTX_Rubi]

What data points are you referring to that say the Icons can go to a lower PSI?

Since I have no personal experience with the wheels listed, I am going off of other forum members experiences.
As I am sure I would never comfortably be going in the single digits, it nice to see others have.

 

[acomputernerd]

What do you mean prep the bolts? I keep hearing people messup installing the lugs, but honestly HTF do they do that?

Per the instructions a dab of anti-seize grease on the threads and washer lubricant on the o-ring. I pre threaded them in the holes by hand so they were not cross threaded. The actual tire is then machine installed. When done the bead is set and you empty the air and torque each bolt to 20. I don’t have access to a tire installer machine so I had Walmart do it.

 

[acomputernerd]

Lugs get messed up on any vehicle typically because they are not hand tightening first. That extra step plus anti-sieze grease will go a long way. Installer shops are in a hurry and just use the air wrench from the start

 

[Ratbert]

Since I have no personal experience with the wheels listed, I am going off of other forum members experiences.
As I am sure I would never comfortably be going in the single digits, it nice to see others have.

I had posted a video of Outdoor Auto running the Methods at 0 PSI.

I'm thinking @Tredsdert has those Icons, where it was about $150 per tire for mounting. Just something else to consider.

 

[SLTX_Rubi]

I had posted a video of Outdoor Auto running the Methods at 0 PSI.

I'm thinking @Tredsdert has those Icons, where it was about $150 per tire for mounting. Just something else to consider.

I watched that video the other day and joined the On X Offraod app, using his code for 20% off. I will use the On X discount on the Methods if I go that route too.

As far as mounting the Icons, I visited a local Discount Tire and they did some research and found a step by step internal guide for installing the Icon Pros. The guide included not using impacts on the bead bolts, using anti-sieze and lubing the o-ring. They said there would not be any extra cost over standard for mounting/balancing.

 

[flick2614]

I had the methods in bronze on my prerunner. Thrashed that truck regularly, desert trails at 55-60mph. Never got a scratch or dent on those wheels.

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