To Buy or to Make

nate8887 · Jan 20, 2009

Im trying to figure out weather to buy bead locks or to make them any tips

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/BEAD-LOCK-KIT-FOR-15-WHEEL,170.html

JOOP · Jan 20, 2009

Those are thin and would probably get tore up

Dude · Jan 20, 2009

JOOP said:
Those are thin and would probably get tore up

winner!!

I tryed them, they suck.

dove'd85 · Jan 20, 2009

if you don't mind wasting a day or so drilling a couple hundred holes then i would say go for it:redneck:, that is assuming you no what your doing

Dude · Jan 20, 2009

dove'd85 said:
if you don't mind wasting a day or so drilling a couple hundred holes then i would say go for it:redneck:, that is assuming you no what your doing

They come with inner and outer ring ready to weld on and bolt together, no drilling, they are just too light duty for big tires.

dirk · Jan 20, 2009

Doesn't Bobby still have a few sets in the garage?

Bunk1 · Jan 20, 2009

Buy a set. They arnt that expensive.

Not Jobless · Jan 20, 2009

I made a set with Tom years ago for some aluminum rims, if you have the time, material and tools go for it.

Otherwise, just buy something pre-made.

whiteman · Jan 20, 2009

If you have what it takes and the time to make them then you can answer your own question.
Otherwise its a hell of alot easier to just buy them. Most people cant even get the weld on kits to seal because of shitty welding

nate8887 · Jan 20, 2009

welding not the problem wasnt sure if anyone had bad experiences with them

Dude · Jan 20, 2009

nate8887 said:
welding not the problem wasnt sure if anyone had bad experiences with them

I did, and that outer ring is like a 10 gauge sheet metal stamped out, like I said, they are light duty. The inner ring is like 3/16".

Bunk1 · Jan 20, 2009

nate8887 said:
welding not the problem wasnt sure if anyone had bad experiences with them

Hit up Tech Tim and get a set of allieds from him. You will be suprised at the price...

lojones · Jan 21, 2009

You already have the wheels to weld the locks on to? If you do id go with better diy locks for 200+. if you dont have the wheels it would be $400-500+ to make your own or 800+ to buy the allieds depending on what size you need. of course keep an eye on th classifieds, especially pirate.

Here are a few places that sell kits:

greatlakeoffroad.com
diy4x4.com
ruffstuffspecialties.com
copperheadfab.com

jprcrpr94 · Jan 21, 2009

Why don't you just get these? They're cheaper also.
http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/15quot-Simple-Steel-Beadlock-_p_1605.html

FabHappy · Jan 21, 2009

dirk said:
Doesn't Bobby still have a few sets in the garage?

I called and asked about a month ago and he said he does not have any of them or any of the hardware left.

I just went through this and had a design drawn on autocad by my buddy and sent it to several shops to have enough cut for 10 wheels. Only one of about 5 area machine shops responded and they wanted 81 per inner and outer set. This did not include any hardware, welding, a rim or anything else. It was just for an inner and outer ring. The outer had a custom design in it.

If you are going to get some just buy somebodies kit because it will cost you as much or more to get everything together on your own.

I went with the KMC Enduro beadlock (no longer on indefinite back order) for 275 a wheel shipped.

nate8887 · Feb 1, 2009

got the ballistics

jprcrpr94 · Feb 1, 2009

nate8887 said:
got the ballistics

Right on:awesomework: I plan on getting a set soon

crash2 · Feb 1, 2009

nate8887 said:
Im trying to figure out weather to buy bead locks or to make them any tips

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/BEAD-LOCK-KIT-FOR-15-WHEEL,170.html

Don't do it---you will regret it. They are too thin for our aplication.

WHITE TRASH1 · Feb 1, 2009

jprcrpr94 said:
Why don't you just get these? They're cheaper also.
http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/15quot-Simple-Steel-Beadlock-_p_1605.html

A buddies dad just bought a set of those. Side by side they are identical to another buddies allieds that we had apart to swap tires awhile back... For the price it's ballistic or nothing IMO.