Picked up a set of these fuel beadlocks for a pretty solid deal, I have a few questions though. Theyre not DOT approved, highway use shouldn't be a problem as long as they are mounted correctly and serviced appropriatly, first question is would I be correct in thinking that? Second question being is how the hell do I get fuel offroad parts, 3 out of the 5 came with beadlock hardware, I assume most hardware is more than likely universal. Any help or insight would be useful!
Fuel beadlock questions
- Thread starter H392H
- Start date
KnoxRents
Active member
I am in the middle of converting my 392 stock rims to the functional bead lock rings and the instructions of course give the typical "FOR OFF ROAD USE ONLY". That said Pirate 4X4 has had a reward of $10,000 for years to anyone who could find a regulation that made true bead locks illegal on the road. I have them on my TJ and I have the functional locks converted on my RAM TRX. They are very safe if installed and torqued properly.
Hardware can sometimes be a little tricky because you want the correct hardness, thread pitch, length, etc. but most are rather common. (The included MOPAR hardware for my stock ring conversion does look a little tricky though.) You should be able to find the hardware easily at a Fastenal or online if you measure the length, diameter, and thread pitch as well as match the grade. Washers are probably included and I feel are important for proper torque.
Mounting is super easy (balancing isn't always as easy). I just set the clutch on my nut driver to around 10 ft lbs., alternating bolts across the ring, then hit it at around 20 ft lbs., and then only use the torque wrench at 30 ft lbs. or whatever they spec it at. I always retorque after a 100 miles or so and seem to get a quarter turn out of most of the bolts as the bead compresses and sets. Good luck!!!
Hardware can sometimes be a little tricky because you want the correct hardness, thread pitch, length, etc. but most are rather common. (The included MOPAR hardware for my stock ring conversion does look a little tricky though.) You should be able to find the hardware easily at a Fastenal or online if you measure the length, diameter, and thread pitch as well as match the grade. Washers are probably included and I feel are important for proper torque.
Mounting is super easy (balancing isn't always as easy). I just set the clutch on my nut driver to around 10 ft lbs., alternating bolts across the ring, then hit it at around 20 ft lbs., and then only use the torque wrench at 30 ft lbs. or whatever they spec it at. I always retorque after a 100 miles or so and seem to get a quarter turn out of most of the bolts as the bead compresses and sets. Good luck!!!
- Thread starter
- #3
Ended up finding the hardware, the fuels that I got have the Hex socket head, no washers though although it wouldn't be a hard find if i wanted to get washers. Getting these bad boys mounted and balanced this week with some 37s and i guess ill find out if they work or not haha. Thanks for the info though i appreciate it!
- Nov 16, 2022
- 1,281
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- Current Rides
- 2023 Rubicon 392 20th Anniversary Edition, 1996 M1078 rolling fortress
The prohibition is not "bead locks" per se. It's multiple piece wheels.
Some states have prohibitions against multi piece wheels. Weld alludes to this in the beadlock myth flyer...
https://www.weldwheels.com/themes/weld/assets/pdf/Beadloc-Myths-Flyer.pdf
But somehow Hutchinson wheels are DOT approved? And it's definitely a multi piece wheel. Also, I think my AEV Pintler beadlocks were "legal", back in the day.
I've been confused about this distinction for years.
Some states have prohibitions against multi piece wheels. Weld alludes to this in the beadlock myth flyer...
https://www.weldwheels.com/themes/weld/assets/pdf/Beadloc-Myths-Flyer.pdf
But somehow Hutchinson wheels are DOT approved? And it's definitely a multi piece wheel. Also, I think my AEV Pintler beadlocks were "legal", back in the day.
I've been confused about this distinction for years.
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Your problem will be a tire shop mounting them for you usually only a jeep place off road shop will do it 12 years ago they charged 50 $ each. No problem but if you’re outa town then what I never had a problem for 12 years. If I just had to have headlocks again I would get Hutchinson. But they are heavy. I went with Method bead grip load range C. Who ever mounts them do not let them use anything but hand tools. You don’t want any of those holes to get stripped
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