I am researching beadlocks, was wondering what you guys thought of the new allied beadlocks:

http://www.high-impact.net/beadlockbrochureinsidepage.htm

I know you're probably partial to MRTs, and at the outset, so was I. The Allied ones seem to offer some advantages in the locking ring design that MRTs, to my knowledge, do not. Does anyone have any direct experience? Of course the question is how is the real product going to measure up to the ad?

One of the big considerations is price because I'm up in Canada and getting this stuff here is real expensive - just times by at least 2 to get a canadian price. That means MRTs (18 bolt ones) are going to run me 1600 bucks by the time I get them here! I can get these somewhat cheaper, and they'd be 32 bolts.

I've looked into DIY kits, most of those are only 16 bolt and have flimsy rings IMHO. I've also looked at the rock stompers, the way the bolts stick into the tire would surely be noticed by cops around here, and I DO have to drive my rig from my house to the trail. Anything that LOOKS DIY is going to get noticed.

Most of the others are simply too expensive.

Anyway, if I could get some opinions on the design, as well as the quality I can expect from the company, it would be appreciated, thanks.

Chad

Originally posted by ChadLloyd
I've looked into DIY kits,
I've also looked at the rock stompers, the way the bolts stick into the tire would surely be noticed by cops around here, and I DO have to drive my rig from my house to the trail. Anything that LOOKS DIY is going to get noticed.
Chad

I'm pretty sure they (Rockstomper) don't stick trough the tire. At least in all the post I've read on them never stated that? It may be a DIY, but if your federales are that nosey and picky up there, any beadlock will get their attention I would think.

http://www.rockstomper.com/images/products/wheels/beadlock09.jpg

see how the bolts stick through the rings, and end up portruding into the inner bowl of the wheel? That is what I am referring to. Not the HEAD of the bolt, the other end (whatever that is called). I'm sure there is nothing wrong with the design as far as strength goes, and other beadlocks are probably similar, but I don't think they are as visible. This makes the wheels seem more home spun rather than manufactured. Am I wrong? Do all beadlocks have these bolts showing?

Chad

Originally posted by ChadLloyd
http://www.rockstomper.com/images/products/wheels/beadlock09.jpg

see how the bolts stick through the rings, and end up portruding into the inner bowl of the wheel? That is what I am referring to. Not the HEAD of the bolt, the other end (whatever that is called). I'm sure there is nothing wrong with the design as far as strength goes, and other beadlocks are probably similar, but I don't think they are as visible. This makes the wheels seem more home spun rather than manufactured. Am I wrong? Do all beadlocks have these bolts showing?

Chad

I think they also sell the kit with counter sunk bolts.

Yeah, i saw that on the web site. Which is cool, but it's not the HEAD of the bolt that bothers me, its the end sticking INTO the rim.

Don't get me wrong, the RockStompers are the best DIY kit I've seen so far, and I am still considering them, and might go that way if I go DIY.

that's standard setup for beadlocks, the back of the bolt always protrudes into the bowl of the rim, you might be able to make it less noticeable with shorter bolts...just a thought

Probably wouldn't look so bad if the rim were black too. I think they did that on purpose to show more detail.

Over the weekend at Cal Rocs I checked out every sort of beadlock and yeah they pretty much all did that. There were a few that had bigger "Rings" on them and that made it less noticeable.

Yeah, after I posted it I started hunting down pictures of beadlocks, including the allied ones, and found that they all seem to have the POTENTIAL for that to happen if the bolts are too long. Perhaps the bolts in the RockStomper pictures are simply a little too long.

Something to consider, thanks for the input, that's why i was asking if I was off base about it a little earlier in the thread ......

BUT

What I would really still like is some input as to what anyone thinks about the ALLIED beadlock design (which is what I was originally looking for).

Thanks guys.

GloNDark:

Good points - black wheels would help, as well as those designs with bigger rings. Right now the bigger ring designs are the ones H8Monday has (can't remember the name), and the Trail Ready's, right? Both of those were pretty pricey.....

anyone have a price on these, or even know if they are available yet? They look very strong and if they are cheaper then MRT 16 bolt that would be sweet! and there is even a dealer within driving distance

yeah, I was quoted:

6 bolt, 15 X 10s

4 @ 175
8 @ 169
12 @ 159

(I was hoping to interest some of my locals to go in on a group buy here, but no takers).

For reference, MRTs are

170 for 18 bolt
227 for 36 bolt

as advertised on their web site (if anyone knows where I can get them signifigantly cheaper, let me know).

Rockstompers are 125
Aggressive Offroad are 200
TrailReady 229 (?)

Originally posted by GloNDark
Probably wouldn't look so bad if the rim were black too. I think they did that on purpose to show more detail.


Scott runs just the standard white wagon wheel, and that's what they do all their testing on from what I understand. That's why it's white, but it does make it easy to see whats going on.

Chad, that's how all bead locks are. Some just show less thread than others.

Chad,

I've been researching too...they are all like that. As said, a shorted shank on the bolt, and matching rim clour will do a lot to disguise that look.

I am 95% sure I'm going to get the Rockstomper kits and DIY...I especially like the countersunk style...it would suck to shear off half a dozen bolt heads.

I picked up my wheels from Winston today,nice work, and took pictures of the Rockstompers and MRT to show him. He was fascinated, and we talked about it. Short story - about $60Cdn per wheel to cut off the outer lip bead and weld on the Rockstomper rings.

The ONLY thing I'm still trying to figure out, is if there are any drawbacks to the Rockstompers having just a flat outer ring, instead of a Lazy Z shape like this (MRT):

http://www.mrt-wheels.com/prodimages/standard_lock_diagram.jpg

I think I'll start a new thread and try and get Scotts answer and other opinions.

I run the Bead Locks that Big Feck is producing.
The Company name is Agressive Off-Road.
They are a very well built wheel, and have an outer seat below the ring that centers the tire. The outer ring is 1/2" thick aluminum, with grooves cut into it, to protect the bead lock bolt heads. It has I believe 36 bolts.
I can take a closer pic of them later if you want.
http://bbs.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/53-600524-MVC-022S.JPG

Big Feck (Gabe's) number is 425-754-2098

Originally posted by H8monday
I run the Bead Locks that Big Feck is producing.
The Company name is Agressive Off-Road.
They are a very well built wheel, and have an outer seat below the ring that centers the tire. The outer ring is 1/2" thick aluminum, with grooves cut into it, to protect the bead lock bolt heads. It has I believe 36 bolts.
I can take a closer pic of them later if you want.
http://bbs.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/53-600524-MVC-022S.JPG

Big Feck (Gabe's) number is 425-754-2098

Hey, I stood there and looked at your beadlocks for 20 minutes before you went into one of the last courses on Saturday. Very clean and strong looking. Seemed to hold up very well.

Damn had I known that was you, I would have introduced myself.

They are a very tough looking wheel arent they?
Big Feck should really post some pics of the inner bead lock set up, thats where the beauty of the locking design really is. The tire ends up being centered solidly on the wheel ,before the outer ring is even bolted on. I wish I would have had some of his buisness cards at the event, I had dozens of people ask me about them. Never mind the thousands of bucks and countless hours in drive train,suspension and lengthening the wheel base. The big questions were, where can I get those wheels?,(where can I get one of those nets on the back? was a close second:rolleyes: )

Bill;

I personally definitely like the lazy Z style better - seems like it would center the bead better. The Rockstompers, our price then is ((75 * 4) + (50? shipping)) = 350 us * 2 = 700 ca + 240 welding = 940ca. Not too bad, but ...... I'd be willing to spend a bit more to get a design I'm more comfortable with and complete wheels ... just how much more is the question. Anyway, keep me informed what you are doing, I'll do the same for you, hopefully there is a way we can cut down cost on the wheels and/or shipping if we do it together somehow.

I would also like to know more about H8Monday's locks - is there any way you could take a picture which shows how it centers better than the MRT/Allied style of Lasy Z ring?

Also, I was just informed I might be going out west in a couple of weeks - are any of these manufacturers in the Seattle area?

Thanks for all the valuable input guys.

Chad

H8Monday,

Them wheels look totally bitchin' on your Jeep man! It's good to hear you like em an approve them. I ordered me a set a little over a month ago and Gabe called last week and said it should ship sometime this week :) (probably next week though).

But anyhow, when I get them, I'll post pics of the inner bead like you suggested and all before I put the tires on. so everyone can see.

But I do believe they are 40 bolts!!:eek: :eek: instead of 36. I may be wrong though, either way, that's a lot of torqueing to do per wheel!
Boss

I spoke with Bigfeck this morning. He asked me to tell everyone that he should have his computer up and running by tomorrow. He said he will post some pictures and have his email working.

If you call him and he doesn't answer the phone its because he working on my beadlocks :flipoff2: and he can't be pulled away to take your order as it will delay shipping mine!:D :D :D

Seriously though, if you do call, leave a message as he can't hear the phone with the grinder running.

fawk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!i finally got the pc fixed.i dont have any pics of the inner rings but i can get some in the next couple days.i just want everyone to know i cant hear the phone while im working so leave a message i check them frequently throughout the day.it is my humble opinion i have the strongest design out there.the inner bolt bead is a 1/4" thick as opposed to most manufacturers 1/8" .they are time consuming to install but they work awesome.the 16.5s are nuts we had to drive a van on the inner bead to get it off the rim.the 16.5s are 40 bolt and the 15s are 36.we will have a website up very soon and hopefully someone to answer phones.i didnt expect to get so busy so fast so please bear with me.and keep your eyes peeled as i have a few more tricks up my sleeve to unveil soon on you guys.together we can help me quit my other job:D :D