Wheel locks..

[kodiak]

I’m surprised no one has come up with some kind of tether to attach the key to the lug wrench.

[VX KAT]

My VX has 1 lug on each wheel that has no chrome cap & is corroded. Thought it's obviously a locking lug because there's 1 on each wheel. Couldn't find the key, searched the car completely. Used car dealer absolutely no help..."try looking in the glove box, center console or by the jack"...DOH! Like we didn't think of that! Took it to Big O tires to find out how much to drill it off or whatever they have to do....they said it was NOT a lock, just missing it's chrome cap. What's the probability that precisely 1 on each wheel would loose it's cap? Or that 4 caps would be lost and previous owner put 1/wheel? A 19mm fit but because it was missing it's cap, an 18mm fit perfectly. He DIDN'T loosen it.

1) Big O guy said Isuzu lugs are "notoriously" bad for cross threading and then impossible to get off. Any truth to that?
He didn't sell lugs anyway so he had no real reason to say that to sell us some, so we decided to go get 24 new lug nuts before he proceeded removing those 4 lugs.

2) What brand do you guys recommend?

3) What brand of locking lug do you recommend most McGard...Gorilla?

[Ldub]

My VX has 1 lug on each wheel that has no chrome cap & is corroded. Thought it's obviously a locking lug because there's 1 on each wheel. Couldn't find the key, searched the car completely. Used car dealer absolutely no help..."try looking in the glove box, center console or by the jack"...DOH! Like we didn't think of that! Took it to Big O tires to find out how much to drill it off or whatever they have to do....they said it was NOT a lock, just missing it's chrome cap. What's the probability that precisely 1 on each wheel would loose it's cap? Or that 4 caps would be lost and previous owner put 1/wheel? A 19mm fit but because it was missing it's cap, an 18mm fit perfectly. He DIDN'T loosen it.

1) Big O guy said Isuzu lugs are "notoriously" bad for cross threading and then impossible to get off. Any truth to that?
He didn't sell lugs anyway so he had no real reason to say that to sell us some, so we decided to go get 24 new lug nuts before he proceeded removing those 4 lugs.

2) What brand do you guys recommend?

3) What brand of locking lug do you recommend most McGard...Gorilla?

My guess would be that the PO lost the key & the original locks were replaced with whatever they could find that would fit.
My experience with Isuzu studs, is that the earlier (1st gen Trooper) ones were more prone to stripping than the ones on the VX.
I only ever use a socket & ratchet (no air tools) to change mine, no problems so far & I've probably had my wheels on & off at least twenty times in the last 4 1/2 years.
I know it's overkill, but I have three McGards in each wheel...

My theory is that maybe it'll slow the thievin' bastiges down enough for me to catch them doing it...

[deermagnet]

What brand do you guys recommend?

KAT, the part # for the nut is 8-97229-212-0. Get four new ones and they'll be a perfect match for $30-35 total. Does Tim's in Prescott or Power in Scottsdale still carry Isuzu parts? Check 'em out. They may have 'em in stock. If not, it's the same exact nut as a Honda Passport. Give the Honda parts guy that number and his system will instantly convert it to the Honda number and see if it's in stock.

It's also the same nut on an Axiom, Rodeo, Trooper, and Amigo. If you stop by a junk yard they should have dozens of 'em.

Mark

[VX KAT]

Yeah, Tim's is the authorized Isuzu service place..1 of only 2 in AZ, we got REAL lucky with it being like 20 miles from us, and actually was a partial factor in me getting the VX...we can't fix things, (well, except for windows and lug nuts) so having the authorized place close sealed the deal for me I had my transported here from Virginia. I grew up in PGH, PA and was so afraid of rust, but the Tim's mechanic said I was in great shape as far as rust!

Thanks for the part number, that will help. Ldub said the cross threading wasn't so much of a problem in the VX, so maybe I'll just replace the 4. When we see how hard or easy it is to get ALL of them off, I'll decide if I'm going to replace all or just the 4. NAPA wanted $98 for 24!!! I found Gorilla Acorn budge nuts-24 at sfxperformance.com for $24.90....seems too reasonable since most are around $3+ each.

[etlsport]

ive always used mcgard wheel locks, never had any issues with them.. i have been thinking of changing to spiked lugs for a cool look, and they require deep sockets to remove, so a little tougher for theives

[Ldub]

Just a FYI...I tried a set of locking lugs from Autozone a few years back, & within two days they were showing signs of rust...

Returned em' & bought McGards...they cost more, but they're worth it.

[Cobrajet]

I lost the cap off of one of my lugs last February. I think water got in through a crack and then froze behind the cap pushing it off. I bit the bullet and ordered five sets of McGard lugs from Summit. The others has slight rust on the edges and I didn't want one lug to stand out. Now I've got 19 spares...

[Riff Raff]

ive always used mcgard wheel locks, never had any issues with them.. i have been thinking of changing to spiked lugs for a cool look, and they require deep sockets to remove, so a little tougher for theives

Sorry to burst your bubble, Eric; but professional wheel thieves nowaday's use freon spray or a fire extinguisher to freeze the locked wheel stud ice cold and then hit the specific wheel lock with a hammer, thereby breaking the entire stud off along with the locking lug. Wheel locks today just keep honest people honest (and help you sleep a little better at night, but only a little).

In regards to the factory OEM wheel lock "key" for our VX's--- one "key" fits ALL other factory VX's with the OEM locking lug. Fellow member "MARLIN" discovered this fact while combing over wrecked VX's in various junk yards and used his OEM wheel lock "key" to take off other VX factory OEM wheels from other VX's. Thus; if you order a "key" from Merlin of Isuzu, then the "key" you receive will fit your lugs (one "key" fits all VX's with factory OEM rims).

[nfpgasmask]

In regards to the factory OEM wheel lock "key" for our VX's--- one "key" fits ALL other factory VX's with the OEM locking lug.

I'm not so sure about that. When I lost my wheel lock, CrnCnn brought his over from his VX and it did not fit. I think Marlin got lucky. They probably use like 20 different ones and he just happened to have the same one as someone else....if all the wheel locks were the same, what would be the point?

Bart

[etlsport]

Sorry to burst your bubble, Eric; but professional wheel thieves nowaday's use freon spray or a fire extinguisher to freeze the locked wheel stud ice cold and then hit the specific wheel lock with a hammer, thereby breaking the entire stud off along with the locking lug. Wheel locks today just keep honest people honest (and help you sleep a little better at night, but only a little).

What?? ive never heard of a single instance of this. it doesnt even make sense. you would ruin the wheels/finish. even a CO2 fire extinguisher wouldnt have enough juice to make 4 wheel locks that cold. and freon spray? it would be harder to find it and buy it than to just go buy the wheels yourself.

there are much easier way to steal wheels. I have a set of wheel lock removers that i use in the shop that can have a set of 4 wheel locks off in 5 min flat