Black05

Do you guys use wheel locks, and if you do, do they look OK?

VET4LES

I have 20 McGard lug nuts installed. Two different keys. I think they look fine. This way it will take the bad guy a few extra seconds to get them off.

Kreuzen

Don't use them - never have... in terms of looks; not a fan

BLU JET 07

I too have the McGard locks. Dealer had them on already when I took delivery. No complaints as they do the job-- to keep honest people honest. If someone really wants your wheels bad enough, they will get anyways.

Don Nolan

I don't have them on my car but they may help a little as far as theft. Although as Blu Jet 7 said, if they want them bad enough, they'll get them off. They either carry a tool or knock them off with a hammer and chisel.

AYello1

I have an old Master combination lock I used on my locker, in high school. Will that work?

Walt White Coupe

The point of locks is make your wheels harder to steal than the someone without locks. I've never seen a post here from someone with locks that had his/her wheels stolen. These are the best and look very good.
.

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boraxman

Nope, probably should though

funymuny

I have a single like this on each wheel. A buddy had them and could not use them so the price was right. It is a deterrent at some level.

6spdC6

I had my non factory wheels stolen off my Nova when it was in the dealer’s lot overnight for some warranty work. They called me the next morning and there where all the ripped off locks and lugs lying on the ground next to my car.


Yes that was years ago, but locks can be defeated almost as fast with the right tools as having keys. I have worked in garages and had to remove wheels when the key was lost, its dam easy.

I would not waste the money on useless locks, but I do have good insurance. On my Nova after almost going to a fist fight with the owner the dealership replaced my wheels and tires, long story I will save it for another thread!

Walt White Coupe

Ok, there you have it. One car, years ago, one lock per wheel, nobody in earshot. Removing 20 locking lugs not only takes time but makes noise. Two things that will drive the thief to someone else's car.

Every post I've seen of vettes that lost wheels had no locks.

It's like that old joke about the two campers that come across a bear and the one says you can't outrun a bear and his friend says "I don't have to outrun the bear, I just have to outrun you."

LMB-Z

Same here. You will have to look real hard to figure out which lugs the locks are on.

jaki30

I have mine for sale. $5 pick up only. Took them off as soon as I got the car home.
I have owned 2 cars with locks. Had to pay to get them off once and used the undersized socket and extension method to get them off the other car when the key stripped out.
The 20 locks would make it more inconvenient for the thieves, but, it
will also make it a PITA for you too.

Walt White Coupe

The 20 locks would make it more inconvenient for the thieves, but, it
will also make it a PITA for you too.

What makes you think this? The one key fits all the locks and it's no problem/hassle at all to remove them with the key.

jaki30

If you use 20 locks, I would recommend you order a spare key ASAP. I managed to strip my McGard key with a lug nut wrench. That's when I used the socket removal method. Even the hardened keys will fatigue with the stress of removal or installing the lug nuts. 100 ft lbs is a lot of torque over the small area of the key lip. JMHO

Walt White Coupe

I think you should always buy a spare key no matter what. The Gorilla key is like a spline socket and is much stronger than your typical key.
Another reason I recommend them.

MTsVette

I'm tossing around the idea of getting black power-coated lugs w/locks for mine from WCC...$24.95. The locking lugs are shaped the same as the regular ones, so the splines are not that noticeable.

MT

Walt White Coupe

They are ok but only four of the nuts (one per wheel) are splined locking nuts instead of all 20 in the Gorilla set.

VET4LES

All 20 have locks. (2 different keys) I'm not one to remove my wheels often but when I do it's not a hassle. My breaker bar uses the key and socket.

Al Gumby

I run locks on my Vette and Toyota Landcruiser. Happened to notice someone took a hammer to the locks on my Toyota. Must of happened in the dark of night, don't know exactly when, but I do know they gave up. They did not get my wheels!