Lug Nuts upgrades?

[jeep.xj.4x4]

You would think that the manufacturer of a hardcore go anywhere vehicle would use one-peice lug nuts! I guess it's a cost cutter for them? The best part about the two piece lugs is, if the outside falls off there is no star wrench that will remove it when you are stuck in the woods 20 miles from civilization! How convenient!

 

[Wayne Sihler]

Like Rich said get the Rally brand from Advance Auto.1/2x20 thread .
#90121 Conical seat 2B
These are heavy well made nuts. The chrome will rust if an impact wrench is used but who can tell at 20mph and it the mud?
They run about $5 a set of 4 nuts
Wayne

 

[Static-XJ]

I've had two chrome caps come off in the last year. The replacement lugs are $4-$5 each for the two piece chrome capped ones. Once the cap falls off you can use the next smaller metric size (thought it was 18, can't remember for sure) 12 pt socket. Have to hammer it on and use a breaker bar to lake the lug off. Socket fits so tight there isn't room for it to slip.

Who else chucked their OEM lug wrench? Mine was rounded when I bought it. A 4way was one of the first investments I made.

Whats worse than the cap popping off due to abuse, is when they round off over the nut. I had to peel the cap away from that one (tough with the wheel right there) before I could get a socket on there.

I have considered a set of replacement lugs. Just don't have the money for them right now.

 

[Kejtar]

I know what you mean Static-XJ.... as much as I want to do it (even though none of mine fell appart yet), I cannot justify spending the $$ for it when I'm not spending the $$ on some other things.... I just hope it won't come back and bite me...

Kejtar

 

[xjgeek]

Lug Nuts....

NAPA part number BK 641-2055, they are less than $5 a piece, and thats cheap!! i have seen lug nuts from dealers, like the big gawdy ones on the Lexus/Toyota Landcruiser, about 18 bucks each!! and aftermarkets not avail!

AZ, NAPA, ADVANCE AUTO, PEP BOYS...

they all have to meet cerain specs and standards....

 

[vintagespeed]

Dude, if they're charging you $5 a piece, you're taking it well! Out here in sunny California, I buy 1-piece chrome acorn lug nuts from America's Tire for $.50 - $1 per, depending on who I talk to.

Remi, just be glad you're not 8 lug front & rear.

I've always run Gorilla locks on my wheels, and they're always where I left them. The Gorilla lock is guaranteed for life & doesn't look goofy like some of the locks out there. I've had this setup for many many years now & only had to replace the ones I've lost due to broken studs (gotta love sand).

 

[Kejtar]

If you can get them at $.50 per lugnut.. we gonna have to talk

 

[XJguy]

Ive owned 3 XJs, from experience I HIGHLY suggest you junk the stock 2 piece lug nuts and get yourself a set of McGaurd tripple chromed one piece lug nuts and not worry ever again. A stripped lug nut is about as unpleasant as it gets; a 1 minute job all of a sudden becomes a two hour ordeal.

Xjguy

 

[bburge]

There is no determination necessary -- they are two piece. That shiny surface you see is a very thin stanless steel cap that's crimped on over a mild steel, open-ended lug nut. Once the goons in the shops hit it a few times with the gorilla guns, the cap gets banged up and then either it falls off (thus, as noted, reducing the head from 3/4" to a smaller metric size -- which I thought was 18mm but might be 17mm), or gets so mangled that you can't get a socket on it.

Mine are 19mm with the cover, 18 without.

Since I use a 1/2 inch breaker bar and a socket as a lug wrench, I have 19 and an 18 handy at all times...

Yes, I've been considering changing them all out for "one piece" ones.

bburge

 

[LT1XJ]

Yeah, My first experience with the two piece nuts was when I went to put new wheels on my jeep. Apparently, they had boogered one up last time I had tires balanced. It took a blue wrench and air chisel to get the darn thing off. I bought some mcgards online for like $5 or $6 for 4. I think it was driverfx.com can't remember. Anyways, replace the stock ones.

 

[Speed_racer]

I just bought a set of NON LOCKING ONE PIECE lug nuts and slapped those on, i originally had the 2 piecer's and about h alf of the top thin metal things ripped off, it sucked!

 

[aspera]

I went to the local Hubcap Tire and Wheel Store the other day. The guy wouldn't sell me aftermarket lugs for a factory wheel (Moab design from a Rubi). He brought out a rim and tried to show me the difference between how OEM and aftermarket lug nuts seat. Anybody heard of this?

I figured that the Jeep had a 45 degree cone and a bulge seat. Aftermarket lugnuts should work fine it the angle is the same and the seat is wide enough. What am I missing?

Is the Jeep design 'cupped'?

EDIT: 60 degree NOT 45

 

[aspera]

http://www.prestigewheel.com/RetailLugNuts.asp

I had no idea there were this many kinds of lugnuts.

I think the XJ needs the "1/2 RH 3/4 - 19mm Hex Extended Conical Seat Buldge Nut Closed" kind of lugnut. While there are plenty of other 60 degree seat conical lugs, I think the bulge design is really needed on the Jeep. Same goes for the closed end, especially if you drive your Jeep through mudpuddles.

I was hoping to find a suitable SplineDrive design, but no dice. I did notice that the Presitge spline drive is 7 sided. It might not hurt to slip one of then in with a set of 8 sided McGard SplineDrives (on another vehicle).

 

[dan f.]

a lot of the little covers came off my nutseek: ), making using a wrench difficult, so i took off one of the covers that was still good and keep it in the glove box. when i have to take one off (like on the side of the road, not in the garage), i just put the good cover in the wrench, which makes it just right.
just my two cents
dan f.