BeamNG has always been one of those games that feels limitless. If you’re wondering how to install mods in BeamNG, that’s exactly what Jake breaks down in our latest video. You load it up thinking you’ll mess around for 20 minutes, but before you know it, two hours are gone.
This isn’t just a quick “click here, download this” guide. It’s a look at why BeamNG has become such a staple in the sim space and how mods are the real engine behind that longevity.
How BeamNG Modding Started
To start, Jake kicks things off with a bit of history. BeamNG traces back to Rigs of Rods, which released in 2005. However, years later, the team decided to build their own physics engine from scratch. As a result, BeamNG was born. The name stands for “beam, the game” using beams and nodes, with NG meaning next generation.
Because of that focus on physics, the game still stands out today. While the sandbox freedom is one thing, it’s really the way vehicles flex, deform, and react that makes it feel different from anything else.
How to Install Mods in BeamNG (Step-by-Step Guide)
If you’re new and trying to figure out how to install mods in BeamNG, the process is actually straightforward.
In the video, Jake walks through the manual method step by step. First, you download a mod from a site like modland.net. Then, you open Steam and browse BeamNG’s local files. After that, you create a folder called “mods” in the directory if it isn’t already there. Next, you drag and drop the downloaded mod file directly into that folder. No extraction needed. Finally, you launch the game and load it up.
And that’s it.
That said, most players won’t even need to do that. BeamNG has a built-in repository where you can browse, sort, and download mods directly inside the game. From there, you can filter by rating, download count, update date, and category. For most people, that’s where the real time sink begins. So whether you’re learning how to install mods in BeamNG manually or using the built-in repository, the process is easier than most people expect.
In other words, this is where you lose track of time. Jake calls it the “sauce” of the game for a reason, because you can get lost in there for hours.
Wheel Setup Tips After You Install Mods in BeamNG
BeamNG’s force feedback used to be rough. That’s not really the case anymore. If you’re dialing in hardware for BeamNG, you might also like our full force feedback breakdown here.
Jake shows how to dial in settings inside the controls menu, including steering angle and force feedback adjustments. He recommends setting steering to 900 degrees and keeping behavior normal, then fine-tuning force feedback outside the game for the best feel.
In the video, we’re running:
-
MOZA R21 Ultra
-
MOZA CS Pro wheel
-
VNM 3-pedal set
-
Simagic DS8X shifter
-
TB1 handbrake
-
Sim Motion seat
-
D-Box motion platform
With everything hooked up, the immersion jumps to another level. When the suspension starts working under you, especially in off-road builds, you feel it.
BeamNG Mods You Can Install After Learning How to Install Mods in BeamNG
One of the highlights of the video is the CRC Monster Jam mod.
Jake loads up a 2013 freestyle event and scrolls through 381 different trucks spanning multiple eras. If you grew up watching Monster Jam on Speed Channel, then this hits hard.
The trucks even support independent rear steering. Jake binds rear steer controls to the DS8X shifter, showing how deep the vehicle-specific controls can go. Once you’re in the arena, the physics really shine. As a result, the suspension travel, tire flex, and sound design all work together in a way that feels surprisingly authentic.
It’s not just a visual mod. It changes how you drive.
Baja-Style Trophy Trucks and Sandbox Freedom
Darin jumps in for his first time ever driving BeamNG, and it’s a perfect reminder of what makes the game special.
There’s no forced objective. No rigid structure. You can just drive.
They load up trophy trucks and dune-style builds and head into open terrain. The suspension movement is wild. You can flip the truck, tear a tire off, and then jump into the replay system to slow everything down and watch the tires fold and deform in detail.
BeamNG has long been known for crash physics, and you can see why. Even when something breaks, it breaks in a believable way.
There’s also:
-
Experimental rally mode
-
Scenarios and campaigns
-
Challenges and time trials
-
Track building
-
Replay tools
-
AI behavior options
-
A multiplayer mod created by the community
It’s deep. Jake mentions it can take 30 to 50 hours before you really feel comfortable navigating everything. That learning curve is part of why some people bounce off early, but once it clicks, it clicks.
What the Community Is Saying
The response to the video has been strong.
One viewer mentioned how fun the off-road driving looks and that VR support makes it even more tempting. Another brought up the RLS career mod, which adds more in-depth progression and immersion. Jake’s already hinted he may cover that in a future video.
There’s also been some nostalgia talk around Rigs of Rods, the predecessor to BeamNG. For some, it was their introduction to soft-body physics. Others feel BeamNG has simply evolved beyond it.
And for the people waiting to build a PC capable of running it, you’re not alone. This is one of those titles that really benefits from proper hardware.
Why BeamNG Still Matters
BeamNG isn’t trying to be a traditional competitive sim. It’s not built around structured online racing. What it offers instead is freedom and physics.
You can sit down with no direction and just drive. Or you can build a full Monster Jam freestyle session. Or you can run Baja-style trucks across sand dunes. It’s whatever you want it to be.
That’s why modding matters. The community keeps expanding what’s possible.
If you want to see everything in action, including how to install mods and the specific builds shown in the video, watch the full breakdown here:
If you’ve already been messing with BeamNG, let us know what mods we should check out next.