How can you protect your rims (OEM and aftermarket) from thieves?

AK370Z

Well, it seems like every two to three weeks, we are seeing "my rims got stolen" threads popping up (jeffblue , G35guy84, YZhang12). These scumbags thieves DO NOT care how they leave your car after they take the wheels. That's my biggest fear! If I were to come outside and I see my car on brick like this,


Pic courtesy Jeffblue


Pic courtesy of G35guy84


Pic courtesy of yzhang12

I'll probably have a mini heart attack! I personally don't gave a F if these thieves steal my rims (heck, if you ask me nicely I'll probably give them to you) but leaving my car on bricks, that's unacceptable.

So, I have been trying to look into a solution for this. Don't get me wrong, I live in a pretty good neighborhood. I sometimes don't even lock my car. However, if I were to drive to North Jersey or NewYork, I can't say the same about those neighborhood.

So, after few minutes of search, I found these VOLK RACING Formula Lug Nuts which are reasonably priced and has rounded outside surface which means thieves can't take them off with a regular wrench. Take a look

RAYS ENGINEERING VOLK RACING Formula Lug Nuts














Here's how they look on the car:

Pic courtesy of GAMEDOG (myg37)


mounted on g37



So, what you guys think? Do you have any other ideas? We have quite a few VOLKS Autorized dealers on our forum (as sponsors) and I'm sure they can come up with a good price on these sets. Biggest question is if these will fit properly with Sports package Rays? Lets discuss .....

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wishihadnav

one of my favorite lugs!!..problem is that they wont fit the sport package rays or the nismo rims..we have that stupid flat washer design..

jpmotor

Honestly, I think Garage is the best, next would be tilt sensor

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Jeffblue

hey AK, thanks for making one dedicated thread for this.

These volk nuts won't fit our sport package wheels or nismo wheels. However as far as aftermarket is concerned, they seem pretty good.

I think the general consensus is the typical mcguard type of wheel lock with the pattern in the top really doesn't do anything. With that in mind, i have found some other designs that seem to work better

1. Black top wheel locks - QMR Motorsports

These are actually caps that go over a lug nut. The lug nut must be 17mm or 19mm hex, (we usually have 21mm on our cars). Nismo makes a lug nut that these should fit over. its model number is 40222-RN700, it can be found here https://www.mynismo.com/products/?id=5360

The locks themselves are 28mm in diameter, so depending on your wheel, they could fit. Essentially, the wider portion of hte hole where the lug nut goes needs to be a bit bigger than 28mm in diameter for these to fit. The idea behind these is, they fit snugly in the hole, and there is no room to get around it with a bolt remover. That, and the outside portion spins freely.

2. Dency 2000 Wheel lock - KYO-EI - Dency 2000 Lock Nuts - Nengun Performance

These feature a magnetic cap that spins freely and supposedly can only be removed with the specific magnet they come with. These also seem to fill up most of the lug hole, making it difficult to get a bolt remover around them to get them off.

I can't embed this link from the video because its supposedly disabled by the user, but here is a link to it.

YouTube - ‪Kyo Ei Dency 2000 Wheel Locks‬‎

Chris_1

I can always trust in Ak, to come up with the perfect thread.

AK370Z

You're correct. I was curious about the washer design and looks like it won't fit .

I saw it on RHDJapan too. Are you getting this? Does this just go over the bolt or it's a lug by itself? because if it's a lug, it needs to washer design.

Kyo-Ei Dency 2000 Lock Nut Silver'







Thanks. I am just looking out for another member. I can ONLY imagine how hard it is to see your car on bricks. I'll probably have an emotional breakdown.

Looking for more ideas....

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The370Z Signature Pictures ll Want to rock our forum decals on your car? Then click here! ll How to Embed YouTube Videos In a Post
STOP! (Hammertime) ll Become a Premium Member Click HERE ll F.A.Q.
Are You a Nissan Dealer? Click Here to Become A "Supporting Dealer" and Start Listing Your 370Zs In Our Inventory Section
My Monterey Blue Z ll My Exhaust --> My Intake --> G3
Nissan's Official Response Regarding Oil Temp Issue: CLICK HERE
Need a Set of Cheap Winter wheels /Tires? Then Visit The Banner Link Below and Place Your Order. You'll Help Keep The370Z Alive.

OMGWTFBBQ

Slam your car so low that they can't fit a jack underneath there.

I think something like what Jeffblue posted will be the best solution, but as I always say, if someone wants something of yours that badly, they'll most likely find a way to get it.

I seriously hate thieves. It's just sad that we live in a world where we can't enjoy the things we work our butts off to get.

Jeffblue

AK, neither. of the locks i posted wont work with our OEM rays wheels, but i am selling mine so i am just looking for aftermarket solutions. I tried my hardest to find a solution for the OEM wheels, but there realy isn't anything that will because of the washer design, its not very popular.

I can't find the video now, but apparently a couple of 'pikey's flipped some car, and then took a sawzall and cut off the suspension and took the wheels like that. And they filmed themselves doing it.

tjlazer

I have a dream, a dream where I come outside in the middle of the night and catch a thief red handed trying to steal my $h!t. Then I fire a couple rounds in the air and watch him squirm.

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cjof2003

The rounded outside surface is not an issue. I had wheel locks on my RSX that had the rounded outside surface. I'll just say that when I lost my key, I was able to get them off quickly and very, very easily.

These will slow down some of the thieves however, and I still think it's a good idea to use them. You should also invest in an aftermarket alarm with tilt sensor however.

Z1804

Are these lugs worth the money or should I just install a digital tilt sensor on my car? I was going to go with some Spline or Muteki lugs on my Work T1S.

RAYS ENGINEERING VOLK RACING Formula Lug Nuts

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mattjk

I don't see how those volk lugs could deter theives if they have the volk tools.

I like the gorilla guard locks with the spinning collar.

OMGWTFBBQ

To be honest, locking lug nuts are only going to slow down a thief who knows what they're doing. If they want it that badly, they'll find a way to get it.

Z1804

What do the gorilla guard locks look like? I google it but didn't come up with much.

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mattjk

Gorilla Automotive Products - Lug Nuts, Wheel Locks, Auto Security, Wheel Accessories