Hi everyone,
I'm builidng up my JK12 Unlimited to tackle offroad trails such as the Rubion Trail (and other local trails in my area). I've tackled the Rubicon Trail once prior in my previous 2008 JK 2 door going in as far as Little Sluice w/o any problems on 33" tires and NON beadlocks. I forget what I aired down to, but I think I was in the low twenties or high teens which seemed fine and no problems gripping the rocks. No question the 33" tires made the trail a bit more challenging, so I've purchased 35" Goodyear Kevlar MTR's for my JK12 along with RK Pro Mid Arm 3.5 suspension and King shocks (overkill I'm sure, but it should be quite capable).

I'm struggling on whether to run beadlock wheels. My buddies say beadlocks, but I'd rather not have to worry about maintenance since my JK will also be driven on the highway for occasional family trips, etc. I'm leaning towards NON beadlock wheels, but if I do go beadlock, I would choose either Hutchinson or Raceline. I prefer Hutchinson given they apparently require less frequent maintenance and are double beadlocked, but the outer wheel is susceptible to rock rash at the same time (which sucks after spending so much $). At least with Raceline and other ring type beadlocks the ring can be replaced.

Seems easier to run less expensive NON-beadlocks wheels which require zero maitenance and can be serviced anywhere.

For those of you who completed the Rubicon Trail, what importance would you place on beadlock wheels? Critical? Nice to have? Not needed? YouTube videos show a lot of people running NON beadlock wheels which tells me beadlocks may not be a requirement. I suppose it varies by wheel, but how far can we safely air down using a NON beadlock wheel w/o compromising the bead?

The most difficult trail i may run is probably Fordyce, but more likely the Rubicon Trail on a regular basis. And maybe MOAB if I can ever get out there.

thanks!

 

Moses Ludel wrote the 500 page owner's and builder's Jeep Bible that was published while TJs were in production. He took a bone stock non-rubi TJ across the Rubicon including the tough stuff and never put a scratch on it. He says its more about driving skill than hardware.

I wasn't there so all I can do is repeat his story, but it seems you can build your Jeep however you like and be OK on the trail.

 

As far as I know, beadlocks are illegal on the road in CA. Check into that before you throw them on a DD. Just fyi.

 

If you wanted to go as low as 5psi then you might need beadlock rims. With anything 10 and above I have never seen anyone unseat their tire. I saw a guy that had his tire in a rut with the steering turned real tight making it look real bad and it still did not unseat, he was running 10psi.

 

There are a few bead locks on the market that are DOT approved. But in answer to your question I don't think it is necessary. I ran the rubicon in late June with an 87 yj with 33's and a mild lift. Had a rear locker but no front locker. The only issue I had was running up Cadillac hill which was more due to the yj being carbureted and flooding out from the steep incline. Although I'm sure it might make it a little easier I don't think their necessary.

 

thanks everyone for your responses. I'm going with non-beadlocks.

 

I just run Rubicon in June with no lockers and 3.73 gears 35" Maxis big horn tires with 8 psi and no beadlockers. My rims are 17"x9" which may have helped