Hi Everyone,

I am getting closer to buying new tires and wheels for my JK.

Beadlock alloys would be great; but, because of price and maintenance considerations I am thinking that I should wait until my JK becomes a trail-only rig.

That being said, I am looking at steel wheels. (After a few rock experiences with my stock Rubicon wheels, I would be pretty hard-pressed to go with an alloy wheel (because of the bead and because the face of many of the wheels that I like are close to being flush with the outside of the wheel).

I have been looking for a wheel with a few more styling features than the standard steel wheels. I have seen the "simulated" beadlocks from Cragar, Black Rock, Unique, and Pro Comp. (I know that several of those brands are actually manufactured by the same company.)

Does anyone have experience with this type of wheel? If so, I would sure appreciate your input on the following:

1. Does the simulated beadlock ring add strength to the outside bead of the wheel?

2. Do the bolts on the simulated beadlock ring stay torgued, or, are they a maintenance issue?

3. I currently am running 1-1/2 spacers with my stock Rubicon wheels and tires. (I installed the OME LT lift kit from Northridge.) It was my understanding that if I went with 4.5" backspacing on a 16" or 17" wheel (running either 35" KM2s or MTRs) there would be no need for the spacers. I have seen some of the simulated beadlock wheels with 4" and 5" backspacing, but, none with 4.5". I am trying to figure out if I will still need spacers with these wheels.

4. I would prefer to go with an 8" wide wheel in order to get more sidewall exposure for rock faces. Good idea? (I'm also leaning toward a 16" wheel rather than a 17", if available.) Any thoughts?

5. Anyone buy these wheels and wish they had gone with the more traditional steel wheels?

I may end up going the standard steel wheel route; but, I do like the styling of the simulated beadlocks. If they are a little stronger at the bead, and if I can find the right size, it may be worth the additional cost.

Thanks for any advice.

Jeff

 

If you look at my profile and pics you can see the wheel you are talking about. I bought them from "Desert Rat Off-Road". They are made by US Wheel and to tell you the truth I like them. As for it adding strength.....no, all it is for is looks. Simulated is all it is.

 

The extra steel around the outside rim on the simu beadlocks does add strength to the wheel. The ring is steel, and basically doubles the strength of the outer lip of the wheel. While they are not functional beedlocks, they are functional in terms of strength.

If you go with 4" BS, you will not need the spacers.

The 8" wide wheel will let you air down farther, and less chance of it getting hit by rocks. I scuffed up too of my procomp wheels on niagara rim last weekend because I am runing 265's on a 8" wheel. So the tires dont pinch enough. But with 285-315's you should be fine in that regard.

 

x2 they do add strenght to the out side rim edge. Below is quote from the procomp web site.

A smooth rolled heavy-duty outer ring is welded 360 degrees to its rim shell making the wheels' outer lip super strong to withstand the most severe off-road punishment against rocks and rough terrain. The rolled outer edge helps prevent tire sidewall damage at lower air pressure.

http://www.procomp.com.au/Default.asp?MenuId=WHEEL_0152

 

Hi Stuka,

Thanks for your input.

Your comment about the strength makes sense to me. I thought should be the case; but, sometimes it's hard to pull the real benefits of a product from the marketing hype. I thought that there should be some benefit... I just didn't know how much.

Thanks for your comments on the backspacing and width issues, too. My intent is to get as much sidewall exposure as possible for the exact reason you mentioned... rocks are attracted to anything that even comes close to being flush with the sidewall. I'd rather let the tire do what it's designed to do.

Do you know of anyone running this type of wheel? Although I only looked for a while yesterday, I am thinking that Pro Comp was the only wheel supplier with a 16 X 8 wheel that offered a 5 X 5 bolt pattern. Anyone else that you know of?

(Also... would it be worth considering a 17" steel wheel? I want to make sure that the wheels clear the calipers, although grinding some of the caliper mass would be okay, too.)

Thanks

Jeff

 

Hi Sim79,

Thanks for the link.

I had looked yesterday; but, I must not have looked in the right place. I see it now, on both the Australian and the US websites.

Do you know of anyone who has experience with this wheel? Or, any of the other simulated beadlock wheels (Cragar, Unique, or Black Rock)?

Thanks again for your input.

Jeff

 

Pro Comps here in a 15' with 35's.......they do fit w/o any rubbing but its close..

can't remember the exact rim size but I think I bought a 15x10 w/3.75 on the back spacing...

 

Hi N2MWL,

Thanks for the post.

How do you like your wheels? Any balancing or other issues to address up-front?

I like your front stinger, too. I'm running the same one.

Thanks

Jeff

 

Hello, had a very hard time finding a tire shop that could get the balance right, but other than that no real issues.......Mike

 

I have cragar soft 8 steelies. I do not have the simulated beadlock but I did have the wheels custom made for me at no extra cost through discount tire. They don't really advertise it but they can call cragar and make whichever wheel in whatever width, backspacing, and bolt pattern you need. Might take a week or two but it's an option... goodluck