Bead Locks 101

SS2

SS2

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After rolling a tire off the bead on the crusher run I decided it was time to invest in real wheeling wheels. So I ordered a set of weld-on beadlock rings. I pulled some wheels out that I had been saving for just such an occasion. Spastic dantastic dan from tractractor dropped off the beadlocks and the fun began. The kit contains 8 rings there are 4 that fit into the wheel and you weld them on. The other 4 are bolted to the ones that are welded in using 2”x3/8 grade 8 bolts with nyloc nuts. The tire is pinched between the two rings. I started by grinding the paint off the lip of the wheel and fitting the rings down into the wheels.
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I used washers to space the ring evenly in the wheel.
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Then I welded the rings into each wheel using short welds and working my way around each wheel.
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I then sent the wheels out to be powder coated. This is what they looked like when they came back.
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I then mounted a tire and took a picture. I still need to pant the outer ring and then find some rocks to grind them shiny on…:dita:
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All in all it was a pretty easy upgrade.
 
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They are RuffStuff do-it-yourself rings. And yes dan supplied them to both Mike and myself.

I did mine exactly like Mike -- even down to spacing them with a washer!

They work great!!! I have been running around with 5-6 psi the last few runs with zero problems. Even running at 30-40 mph on gravel roads, sliding around corners, getting crazy and no leaks, no unseated beads, nothing.
 
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chris pucci said:
they are RuffStuff do-it-yourself rings. And yes dan supplied them to both Mike and myself.

I did mine exactly like Mike -- even done to spacing them with a washer!

They work great!!! I have been running around with 5-6 psi the last few runs with zero problems. Even running at 30-40 mph on gravel roads, sliding around corners, getting crazy and no leaks, no unseated beads, nothing.
Click to expand...

Ya what he said....:dita: also to be fair. I did mine like chris...:gringrin: he told me that he used washers so I just copied a good idea.......:dita:
 
Yes, they got the kits from me. I can install the rings for an additional $25 per wheel, if your not comfortable with your welding skills. Chris's have been holding up extremely well and I expect mikes to do just as good.

Get-er-done Mike so we can see a finished picture:dita:
 
One tip I do have -- that I got from someone that has had weld on beadlocks for years...

Use a some silicone sealant on the inner ring to seal the tire to the wheel. You will greatly reduce the chance for leaks. I found it the the least messy to get the inner bead on and over the ring - get the outer bead in place -- run your bead of silicone between the ring and tire - put the outer ring on and bolt it all together.

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After painting the outer rings to match the trim on uber Scout I mounted some 35x13.50x15 toyo mts on them and aired down to 10psi. I then took the Scout out for a drive. Everything seems great. The bigest pain in this process is putting all the bolts in the wheel. It takes foreever having air tools is the only way to go.....:dita:
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We ran 8.5 on fordyce today and I thought it was still a touch too much. Those toyos are super heavy and don't give as much as broken in rock spiders(mtr's to the youngsters). I personally would have run around 6 psi but, that's just me.
 
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