locking lug nuts

[84stealthranger]

so i had a horrible dream last night that some one cut my brake lines and stole my rims and tires off my truck. does any one know where there are some good locking lug nuts besides the junk they sell at walmart and advance auto i had them and they just strip the heads off.

 

[Tedybear]

Only ones I would recommend would be at Advance auto, or any other location that sells the type that resembles a huge torx bit that engages into the locking nut. The ones with the design built into the top and the nut? It can break to easy. The one that looks like the torx head? So far has done quite well, except the fact that most companies use the same torx 'key'. (lost mine, purchased another set that used the same key) It's a toss up, Most thieves in my area are crowbar knuckleheads that do not carry wheel 'keys' just smash and grab.

Keep one thing clearly in mind!!!!! You NEVER want to put an impact gun on those keys. I do not even attempt it with my el'cheapo electric impact gun...It's far to easy to have something snap due to their construction being cheap. Just a 4way to break it loose, and a torque wrench to tighten it down.

S-

 

[Ranger SVO]

The brand you want are McGard. I use both their lug nuts and their wheel locks. And don't worry about the impact gun. McGard products are tough.

The local Ford Dealer ordered them for me

http://www.mcgard.com/AutomotiveProducts

 

[superds]

I have something like this on my Mustang:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MCG-65330RC/

Not traditional locking style but splined, requires a special splined key.

 

[4x4junkie]

The brand you want are McGard. I use both their lug nuts and their wheel locks. And don't worry about the impact gun. McGard products are tough.

The local Ford Dealer ordered them for me

http://www.mcgard.com/AutomotiveProducts

×2

McGard makes a very good quality product. They also have numerous different key cuts (codes) for lessening the chance some stranger's key would fit yours. Though I still would never take an impact gun to it.

 

[84stealthranger]

Thanks guys ill have to go see about getting some of the mcgard ones. I seen the spline ones at walmart but there is like 5 of the same ones lol how safe can it be if the key is the same lol

 

[superds]

Thanks guys ill have to go see about getting some of the mcgard ones. I seen the spline ones at walmart but there is like 5 of the same ones lol how safe can it be if the key is the same lol

Yeah, I also contemplated that for a while before I purchased the splined ones. But in the end, I could get a whole set (25 nuts) that all use the same key for a reasonable price, and let's face it, I live in ND and my Mustang only leaves the garage a few times a month.

 

[Ranger SVO]

×2

McGard makes a very good quality product. They also have numerous different key cuts (codes) for lessening the chance some stranger's key would fit yours. Though I still would never take an impact gun to it.

It states on their website that an impact can be used with their products.

The only time I had to replace a key is because I lost it. I left it on the side of the road where I changed a flat. Lucky I had the Key Code glued to the inside of my glovebox.

Anyway, never had a problem because impacts were used on them.

Please keep in mind that most tire stores, auto parts stores, and mass retailers carry real cheapies with chrome paint on them, an impact will damage them first time, a hand wrench will damage them.

 

[Tony Raine]

ya'll know you can go to harbor freight and buy a cheap tool that will spin any of these "locking" lugs off just as fast as any lug nut, right?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Could get reverse thread studs and nuts, that would mess them up.

Older heavier trucks had them on one side (left I think) and normal ones on the other side. They thought that the torque of the wheels would loosen them otherwise.

 

[JohnnyO]

McGard is the shiznit. Don't mess with anything else. Also their plain lug nuts are very very good and won't chip or rust. Summit and Jeg's have them.

 

[superds]

I'd like to also throw in a word for Gorilla. I have had two sets of them, very good imho. Both are also carried by Jegs and Summit

 

[badmts]

Do not buy locks!

When was the last time you or anybody reading this actually saw a car/truck with stolen wheels ? THEY STEAL THE WHOLE THING! then use the above mentioned harbor freight (every tool truck has them also) wheel lock removal kit and presto locks are gone! Here is the flip side-it is pouring rain or you are stuck out in BFE and YOU need to get wheel off in a hurry-but where is wheel key? i know its here somewhere?call tow truck or drive on flat to service station and watch billy bob take a AIR HAMMER to your nice wheels- we charge between 10-25 per wheel for lock removal and do no less than 3 sets a week but since 1986 i have had only 1 car come in on tow truck for wheel/tire theft-my GTi has $3k BBS/Potenza960' -no locks

 

[4x4junkie]

Here is the flip side-it is pouring rain or you are stuck out in BFE and YOU need to get wheel off in a hurry-but where is wheel key? i know its here somewhere?call tow truck or drive on flat to service station and watch billy bob take a AIR HAMMER to your nice wheels-

Never have had that problem... I keep the key put away in a safe place where I can always get to it.

ANyone have a link to this tool on HF's website? I'm curious if it would actually be able to grip a hardened McGard nut.

 

[Ranger SVO]

Never have had that problem... I keep the key put away in a safe place where I can always get to it.

ANyone have a link to this tool on HF's website? I'm curious if it would actually be able to grip a hardened McGard nut.

I'm gonna go with 4x4junkie. If some of you think that a McGard lock can be easily removed with some cheap HF tool, it's obvious that you don't own McGard Products. I own 16 of their lugnuts and 4 of their locks, these things are solid. I cannot imagine a tool that can grab a hardened McGard wheel lock.