Wheel locks..

[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...

[snowtrooper1966]

When I had the new Nittos put on the Dragon during my trip to San Diego Thanksgiving, I had locked the glove box since I had my checkbook and cash in there forgetting:

A) the wheelock key was in there
B) they were gonna need it
&
C) they had the freaking key to the glovebox anyway!

They never even called to remind me how stupid I was, which I appreciate tremendously. They figured it out on thier own and my dough was unmolested....
What can I say? The eighties were really good to me
Best,

[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

[Ldub]

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

Yep...pure happenstance...

I have three sets on mine as a "might slow them down just long enough" measure, & two of them are keyed alike. There are only so many patterns out there, no matter what McGards website says about infinite patterns, it's not economically feasible to tool up for such a large array of product.

[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

[VX KAT]

Yeah, I recall Marlin just lucked out on his set being all the same.
http://vehicross.info/forums/showthr...ht=locking+lug

PittVXr, I'm with you, mine never came with any.........I still need to buy the McGard ones.

[atilla_the_fun]

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

I tested some locks (like master locks) using liquid nitrogen, which gets much much colder than anything you can buy commercially and found that even when completely submerged for minutes, the steel in those locks was still strong enough to survive countless whacks with a giant hammer.

Everything you see, like in the fourth fast and furious, or people breaking locks with cold sprays - its really just for the movies. I can't even imagine how much "freon" it would take to even dent the steel used in our wheel lugs and bolts.