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You’ve done the rounds on the easier trails and now you’re ready for more. But is your car? You’ll need a differently decked out 4WD or ute than the one you’ve used till now to get through the tricky stuff. Think soft, sinking sand, big boulders strewn for miles on end, flooded river beds and anything that can get you stuck as soon as you put your foot down. You’ll want a little more in the way of suspension and bigger, badder mud tyres. And those tyres are fitted to a dedicated set of beadlock rims.
What are Beadlock Rims?
A beadlock rim is one specially designed for off-roading to allow off-roaders to deflate the tyres to abnormally low levels. Compared to standard rims, which can be safely driven down to around 16 PSI, or slightly above normal air pressure, beadlock rims can be run down to well below half that and still perform. The purpose of letting air out of the tyres is to create a larger contact patch with the ground. Increasing the amount of rubber gripping the surface also increases traction. Your off-roader can have insane power and all the diffs you can stir up, but getting that power down to the ground (read tyres) is what really matters. To keep the tyres from slipping or popping off the wheel with all that air let out, genuine beadlock rims lock the tyre bead (the part that attaches to the rim) firmly to the wheel.
Parts of a Beadlock Rim
The purpose of a beadlock wheel then is to keep the tyre on the rim, even during a flat. To do this there are several crucial parts that make genuine beadlock rims a little different from what you’d normally use on the road. Let’s start from the outside. Here, there’s the outer beadlock ring that clamps the outer bead of the tyre to the rim. This is kept in place by heavy-duty bolts, generally at 8mm or 5/16 inches and between 1 and 1-¼ inches or 25-30mm long, evenly spaced out along the entire circumference. The inside bead of the tyre is then clamped in place by the inner beadlock ring by accepting the bolts through specially machined holes. To prevent the tyre from slipping inwards, most beadlock rims have an additional inner ring or safety bead. Past this point, there will be a single drilled insert that houses the valve with which the tyre is inflated or deflated. This in essence describes a single beadlock rim, and the one that you’re most likely to find. There are also beadlock rims with locking rings on the outside and inside rim, but these tend to be too heavy, much harder to maintain, and way more expensive considering all the additional precision-machined metal.
Benefits
For off-roading purposes, beadlock rims offer substantial advantages over standard wheels. With air pressure brought to a bare minimum, the tyres literally cover more ground. And even when fully deflated the tyre stays on the wheel. The added traction provides for better performance over loose surfaces like sand, gravel and rocks, with tyres biting more into the ground. In addition, the inner and outer rings strengthen the sidewalls, so this tyre and rim combo have better overall durability. Chances of punctures are virtually non-existent. Outer rings also protect the tyres when in direct contact with sharp rock edges or trees. Lastly, it’s the good looks that also attract a lot of attention. Particularly the finish on the outer ring and the inserted bolts. Beadlock rims can be powder coated in a range of colours to suit different tastes.
Cons (Some with a Positive Twist)
There are some downsides though. First, there’s the added weight. A beadlock rim will be much heavier than the standard rim due to all the additional parts. A plus side here is that you’ll rarely need to adjust the suspension and modify the steering, though heavier wheels in larger diameters might call for a few tweaks. Next, there’s just a chance that these are not street legal, or more specifically have yet to be approved in Australia. Get caught on the road with them and you’re bound to get a fine. There’s also the maintenance needed, especially checking the torque in each of the bolts before setting out. Lastly, there’s the price. This is an expensive piece of kit, but if you’re a serious off-roader, a kit well-worth having. No other off-roading accessory will get you even close to the traction they provide.
What to Look for in Beadlock Rims?
Beadlock wheels are sold for all 4WD makes and models. Sizing needs to be appropriate for the tyres you’re putting on your rig. Variants come in 16-, 17- and 18-inch rims. Also, go for rims with at least 24 bolts to get adequate clamping force. There are also beadlocks with up to 32 bolts, though these carry a weight penalty, they offer the best hold in tougher conditions. And to get praise from fellow off-roaders, select the design and colour schemes that go best with your vehicle.
