Topic: Weld on bead locks ?

[81 toyota]

I've bin looking at weld on bead locks and was almost ready to buy a set when a friend said that you can't ballance them. Is this true? Dose anyone have experiance with them on the road? Thanks for the input.

[OOPS]

There is no reason that they cannot be balanced. But most tire companies will not do it because of liability.

I used five golf balls in my bead-locks and it worked very well, you can also use BB's, air soft pellets or there is a powder out there just for balancing tires.

If you get weld-on bead-locks, make sure to spend the extra money and get the anti-coning type. Take your time in welding them on and expect some leaks, which can be a bummer to chase down.

[_HOIST_]

I don't have weld-on beadlocks, but I use the air-soft BB technique and it works well. I took a stupid amount of weight of some wheels I bought used (I'm talking STACKS of the adhesive backed kind) when I installed my Iroks. I figured I'd need an excessive amount of bb's. Using this chart:

http://www.imiproducts.com/index.php/products/equal/quantity-chart/

I put 8oz of .25 gram bb's in each.

[1985CRAWLER]

http://centramatic.com/Home.aspx

anybody try these with weld on bead locks? theyre supposed to keep your wheel balanced constantly.

RB or 4crawler has been running them for years and swears by them.
he doesnt have beadlocks though

been thinking of paying 199 and trying them out,

something to look into i suppose for bead locks or hard to balance tires.

[_HOIST_]

been thinking of paying 199 and trying them out

$199 

I'd try some $10.99 BB's first. Unless you've got it like that. 

[1985CRAWLER]

lol yea

they just look cool.

they sit on the lug nuts behind the rim and make it easy. no reason to break a bead open or anything.
 might save u money in the long run over years if u change tires alot.

[81 toyota [OP]]

The reason I'm thinking about bead locks is because I run 10 wide rims an15 wide tires but I'm Gona get some 12 wide tires and am woried about debeading so that's y I'm considering going weld ons.

[1985CRAWLER]

i run 15x10 rims with 12.50 wide tires. no bead locks. lowest ive aired down to is 11 psi. never had a bead separate . but i know some guys go lower without debeading and they dont have locks. guess it depends on the tire and how much  u use the skinny pedal.

[81 toyota [OP]]

When I'm running my boggers i go down to 7 psi in the rocks without issues but I've never ran a 12 wide tire before

[1985CRAWLER]

depends on what tire u have or getting..i have had the og mtrs for years now both 35 and 37". 12.50 wide. and i think guys have gone down to 8 psi with them no locks.

[81 toyota [OP]]

That sounds good I've ony ever ran bias ply. Thanks for the input.

[H8PVMNT]

I have a set of weld on bead locks I used to use for some 34" tsls that wouldn't stay on the bead.  I used lead shot and they balanced reasonably well for bias swampers.

[daniresch]

The reason I'm thinking about bead locks is because I run 10 wide rims an15 wide tires but I'm Gona get some 12 wide tires and am woried about debeading so that's y I'm considering going weld ons.

As others have stated, as long as you don't run really low PSI you'll be just fine. I wouldn't personally run lower than 10psi just to feel safe. Another thing to consider is the tires themselves and barrel of the wheel make a big difference.

Back to your original question: Can you balance weld on bead locks?

My answer is yes and no.
Can you put them on a balancing machine and zero out the balance? Yes. it will ask for a TON of weight however. And when a wheel/tire combo asks for a TON of weight you know it will never really ride that smooth. A lot of us are okay with that tho, so its up to you.

[81 toyota [OP]]

That is what I was looking for thanks. As far as ruff riding Im running boggers so ya its about as bad as it gets some radials are going to be a nice change.

[OOPS]

If you come right down to it Champion Bead Locks are a weld on beadlock. I took them my Ultra 50's and they cut and welded on the ring. They do not make their own wheels.