I know for a fact it is illegal to alter/modify anything with a D.O.T stamp from it's originally approved design.
Beadlocks aren't illegal , hacking the bead off a non-lock wheel and welding a lock ring on is.... if it sees public roads.
Running HMMWV beadlocks or any other Hutchinson brand two piece wheel is the only truly legal way to do it .... Don't know if this has changed but as of a couple years ago Hutchinson was the only true locking wheel with D.O.T approval.
Full hydraulic steering laws change state to state... I've never been able to find it in writing if it's legal or not in Ohio. Some states require a 100% mechanical link between the steering gear and the operator.
I ran full hydro on a woods rail that saw 80+ MPH many times , did it for years ... had a buddy with the same set-up on a rail that past a O.D.O.T inspection ... so ether it's legal or the inspectors don't ****..
Jeff