TC's FJC

[targa88]

TCAO,
Looks like a great lightweight solution.
I am just wondering with the higher profile tire (more of an expedition profile) what is the advantage of the beadlock.
IF you don't mind me asking what was the cost of the conversion?

[TCao]

targa88 previously said:

TCAO,
Looks like a great lightweight solution.
I am just wondering with the higher profile tire (more of an expedition profile) what is the advantage of the beadlock.
IF you don't mind me asking what was the cost of the conversion?

I'll be using BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM tires in the 255/85R16 size with these wheels (which qualify as higher profile tires) and IMHO, the advantages of using beadlocks are the ability to run at much lower tire pressure if needed and not worry about loosing a bead and the ability to swap out a blown tire (tear in sidewall for example) if needed without needing to even use tire irons. I was able to seat the inner tire beads with the new ARB CKMA12 air compressor when I mounted these tires. So, for extended trips, it's possible to carry one mounted spare and one spare tire which save some weight. Unfortunately, the beadlock conversion price has gone up quite a bit in the last few years and it's about US$250 per wheel now. I just noticed that DeMello Offroad is offering these same wheels already converted by OMF so the wheels do not have to be shipped to OMF and then back.

[volhoo]

This a really cool Thong.

Did you consider using the Staun inner beadlocks?



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[TCao]

volhoo previously said:

This a really cool Thong.

Did you consider using the Staun inner beadlocks?



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Thanks Vince. I did look into the Staun inner beadlocks as well but decided to not use them since they appear to be rather difficult to install correctly. I'll post up photos of the tire mounting process soon.

[frogeye]

T they look great. Makes me want to do it to mine someday. I like the classic look.

[TCao]

frogeye previously said:

T they look great. Makes me want to do it to mine someday. I like the classic look.

Thanks froggy. When you're ready, just give Bones a call and he'll set you up.

[TCao]

Installing BFG Mud Terrain KM Tires on OMF-Converted TRD Wheels

I've decided to go with a set of BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM in 255/85R16 partly since these tires are slightly taller than the BFG All Terrain tires I currently have on my FJC. With a 30mm thinner width, these tires will clear the rear shock reservoirs at full bump too where the 285/70R17 All Terrain just barely rub on. Also, with the narrower cross section which reduces drag and rolling resistance, I hope the fuel economy will improve a little bit too. Mounting these tires onto the OMF converted TRD wheels was pretty straightforward using the included instructions from OMF.

Install tire valve onto wheel



Lining up the drop center on the wheel with the beadlock ring facing down



And pushing down on the wheel (tire iron not required)



Flip the tire and wheel over and center the outer bead onto the lip of the inner beadlock



Line up the outer beadlock ring and install and torque all 24 5/16-18 x 1.25 grade 8 bolts and washers and seat the rear bead.



Tire installed onto TRD wheel and ready to be balanced



It took a little over an hour to install each tire. Photos of the tires and wheels installed on the FJC will be posted once these tires are balanced (hopefully this weekend).

[frogeye]

It's gonna look sweet. I'm having no problem running the 285 75 16s. I had a chance to go out and flex my FJ an I was happy to see no evidence of rubbing in the front or rear. The TRD 16 is a sweet setup. Just what the heck do they do to the rim to add beadlocks anyway? Is there any chance of weakening the rim by drilling into it?

[TCao]

frogeye previously said:

...Just what the heck do they do to the rim to add beadlocks anyway? Is there any chance of weakening the rim by drilling into it?

There's an excellent write-up in Off Road magazine a few months ago on how OMF convert factory aluminum wheels to add the outer beadlock. Basically, the factory wheel is centered on a CNC lathe and the outer bead is machined off to accommodate the inner beadlock ring which has all the threaded steel inserts for the beadlock bolts. A jig is used to locate the inner beadlock ring onto the wheel and the ring is tack-welded on at a few spots. The wheel is then moved onto a turntable when the ring is completed TIG-welded onto the factory wheel. The inner beadlock ring is CNC-machined from 6061-T6 plate stock and is ~ 1/2" thick; the outer beadlock ring is also made out of the same material. Some prefers the cast beadlocks (Walker Evans, KMC, or Hutchinson) but for me, this method is more suitable because I don't want to alter the factory wheel backspacing.

[wrigman]

Can't wait to see these mounted to the rig!!
Did you mount the tire after it sat in the sun awhile? Just an old Karting trick to help the dismounting and mounting of tires by hand. (no irons either)