mcguard wheel locks? lug nuts, etc.

[uncle_el]

i suppose this is mostly aimed at usc and lithium92, maybe even fizzbob. but if anyone else has knowledge and/or opinion, please share.

unfortunatley or fortunately, depending on how you see the situation, i will be getting a new set of rims. hopefully they'll be in my possession in about a week. in any event, i have wheel locks on my konigs right now, but they aren't the prettiest. in other words, they are functional, but with a center cap over them, the way they look/looked isn't/wasn't an issue.

these new wheels will have exposed lug nuts. i guess there are a few questions:
1. will the old wheel locks/lug nuts even work?
2. if the old wheel locks/lug nuts won't work, what should i look for in the new wheel locks/lug nuts?
3. why mcguard wheel locks (as opposed to any other brand)?
4. any thoughts on kyokugen lug nuts?
5. any other things i should be thinking of?

thanks in advance.

[usc]

1) most aftermarket rims require the use of tapered lugs (as opposed to the cupped-shaped that comes with stock). so if yours are the tapered, m12x1.5's, then it's good.

2) i second fizz's notion: Quality.

3) mcgard locks are (supposedly) all different with 10-to-the-umpteenth patterns. i would stay away from the "spline" lugs as well as the kyokugens as well. not that they're not "good". just that every thief and their grandma will have those special lugs already, or if not, they would have scoped out your ride and know what equipment to get. even if they legitimately pay $65 for the kyokugens, if they can steal and sell your rims for $500, that's still profit for them.

4) lightweight and high quality, but refer to #3. the heptagon sockets aren't anything special. anyone who has kyokugen locks can take their socket key and work on any other set.

5) note to self: "if they want it bad enough, they'll get it one way or another." i got 2 sets of mcgards just to piss the potential thieves off. i can't stop them from stealing my ride (towing it off somewhere) and then drill out the lugs. but if they want to risk damaging the rims (which then would mean harder to re-sale), i'm hoping they'll think my car's not worth the effort.

[uncle_el]

thanks for the answers guys.

is this, or something like it, what i should be considering? click here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2447053125&category=33749)

lithium, where's your input man?!?!?!

[Lithium92]

Originally posted by uncle_el
thanks for the answers guys.

is this, or something like it, what i should be considering? click here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2447053125&category=33749)

lithium, where's your input man?!?!?!

i have arrived *sippin the early mornin' coffee*

Basically, Fizzbob and USC already hit the nail on the head in regards to your inquiries about wheel locks. They have already said what I would have said.

I'll try and fill in the cracks or offer up some other tid-bit the fellas haven't mentioned. Much like USC, I have kyokugen lightweight lugs paired up with one set of McGuard Tuner Locks. I think the main question you need to ask yourself is what 'level' of security you will need to protect your investment. When I say 'level', I mean what area you live in (is it notorious for theft) and what kind of wheels are you protecting. My car is garaged in the morning and at night under the watchful eye of a security guard. I don't need the level of security that USC needs... hence I only have one 'true' wheel lock (McGuard) per wheel. I also recommend purchasing a torque wrench to properly torque each lock to proper specs.

I would recommend USC's set up. Getting through 2 McGuard wheel locks per wheel would be an extreme nuicance if I were a theif... That's 8 wheel locks I have to get past along with the 8 other heptas if I didn't have the universal key for those already. Not too mention the high probablility of the thief damaging the rims to achieve his goal. To many deterrents = too much time for the theives = good. But still there are those theives that can still get past those... it's a harsh world.

In addition, Fizzbob has mentioned McGuard locks having the tendency to strip. In a sense this is true for some of their other lock model types. I have the tuner set where the key has an extended sleeve for the lock to prevent slippage/stripping. To make a long story, this particular set has given me no problems at all... and you know how much I swap wheels on my car. :D

I addition... I know it's nuisance, but if you do purchase wheel locks (or combination of). Do not leave the in the car. Take them with you in a small pouch, if you have the means to. I do (I take them where ever I go; if I go to the mall, I have my fiancee lug them around in her purse). If you do leave them in the car; hide them in some off the wall inconspicuous area where theives will not find them. I known several people that left their wheel locks in their car; the theives found them and used them to nab the wheels!

anyhoo... I'm starting to ramble. below is a pic of the wheel keys and sockets I take with me. (taken today at work)

[uncle_el]

thanks for the replies guys, i truly appreciate it.

i live in an ok part of town, and my apartment complex is gated with cameras. i haven't had a problem, and there are plenty of nicer cars (read s 500s, 7 series, escalades on dubs and up, h2s) in the complex, but i just wanna be safe anywhere i go.

i haven't had the exposed lugs before, so i just wanted to make sure i knew of everything out there, pros and cons.

i hope to have the wheels at the end of next week. i'll post pics and info in here and in my members ride section.

you guys have helped tremendously. ;)

[Lithium92]

awesome! I guess you'll leave info your about new shoes as confidential? :laughy:

... inquiring minds want to know.

[uncle_el]

i want to have the shoes in my hands before i divulge any info. i don't want to jinx anything. i will say that they are not volks :( but they are forged wheels :).

[kings_blend]

i have two different sets of locks on my wheels, one set is hexagonal, and the other is octagonal. my friend on his civic has the same thing except one of his have a really fucked up pattern and the key is very rare for that shape. it has various sizes of sides and it looks like its hard to get off..... well at least i wouldnt know how to get it off....

[Lithium92]

Originally posted by uncle_el
....but they are forged wheels :).


hmmmmmm... intewestin'... usc and I will ponder over this and draw upon our own conclusions... heheheh.

Update your member thread soon with some pics!

:D

[xplode]

on my car i dnot have wheel locks, but i have a special type of lug? it comes with a key... i was wondering if putting a lock on each wheel would be neccesary.. i live in a rich area and im not worried for a second bout theft. just if i happen to go to the ghetto'er areas like where most the auto part stores are! i dont want to come out with a bag of bulbs and an air filter or somthin and see my car on blocks haha.

[uncle_el]

update:
wheels are on there way to me. :) after a long hassle in trying to pay for them. note to others, avoid using www.auctionpayments.com (formerly bidpay.com) as they had my payment status in "waiting for approval" for 12 days. i sent an e-mail every other day. it wasn't until i sent a rather harsh e-mail asking for them to cancel my order when they said my order was "disapproved." sorry for digressing, just had to get some *ish* off of my chest. :D

in any event, the wheels should be here on december 30 (well, at least that's the expected date).

hopefully i can get them on before i head to new orleans for new years.

[uncle_el]

my wheels finally came in. have one set of wheel locks right now. i'm going to take lithium92's and usc's advice and get at least another set for each wheel.
in any event, these are buddy club p1 sf wheels, 17 x 7, in gunmetal. true jdm yo! alas, they are not volks, but i suppose good things come to those who wait. they are much better looking then my old konig wheels (which are for sale by the way).

not the greatest pictures, but what can you do at 9:30 at night, with rain, and poor lighting?!

body shot #1
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid95/pc975a358a0b986eb3c0c0b10df517733/fa24cb86.jpg

front left
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid95/p69733ae1f97ef1a885e8047ec38c7217/fa24ca9f.jpg

front right
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid95/p059605769666d78ae2b67108a358270a/fa24cb10.jpg

body shot #2
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid95/p7adda6da0f4cb5eacdb87da8f4f59d1b/fa24cb50.jpg

[uncle_el]

for anyone who needs to know, you can purchase mcgard wheel locks from pep boys, either at their store, or online: www.pepboys.com

we require a lug nut/lock that is M12 x 1.5
the item number for the wheel lock that fits our cb7 is 25257.

more info can be found on www.mcgard.com

[1CrawlinAccord]

Those look real nice man. With two types of wheel locks on each wheel, I am pretty sure you will be safe from theft. :)

[uncle_el]

Originally posted by 1CrawlinAccord
Those look real nice man. With two types of wheel locks on each wheel, I am pretty sure you will be safe from theft. :)
i hope so.