ditch the wheel locks

[RavenTai]

My cruiser came with wheel locks, (OEM?) been debating ditching them then I had a nice scare tonight, could not find the key for two hours, after tearing my garage apart thinking I forgot to put in back in the cruiser after the brake job finally found it where it was suppose to be, in the cubby in the back, I looked there 10 times but it was hiding in the corner :whoops: feel like an idiot

After I could not find it in the garage I was sure I left it sitting on a lock and flung it out on the highway, Defiantly off the fence about locks now,

With 20’s + being all the rage I am sure nobody will want my OEM 16” alloys bad enough to steal them?

 

[hoser]

I think a thief might be tempted to steal OEM wheels with some fairly new and nice 35" tires.

 

[firetruck41]

The last time I remember someone getting their wheels stolen it was six years ago, in San Diego, and from an Acura Integra, definitely not worried about stolen wheels/tires in my neck of the woods. Wheel locks are for .

 

[RavenTai]

I think a thief might be tempted to steal OEM wheels with some fairly new and nice 35" tires.

I dont have that problem (yet) , 265/70's Michilin ltx's

 

[robbie]

In my old 4/runner in alaska I left the key at home when I did a service on my truck and when climbing/ spring skiing. came back to the truck after the weekend and my front tire had a flat. Well I looked and looked and I was alone. so out came the cave man hammer and I broke off the stud to change the wheel. I have never run locks since except for the spare. later robbie

 

[landtoy80]

< I have never run locks since except for the spare. later robbie>

???????????

 

[chiz45]

I was sure I left it sitting on a lock and flung it out on the highway,

did this after my first front brake job. Luckily, i found the Gorilla adapter thingy in the middle of the street, about 1/4 mile from the house. Looked like it was run over (scratches, bare metal) but servicable!

 

[Poriomania]

I went out on a spur of the moment easy run last year witha couple of friends and sliced the sidewall on one of my tires. In a rush to get it changed I stripped the lock with the key and was subsequently screwed. Fourtunately some atvs came by and one of them went back to their truck for a socket that we could pound over the lock to get it off. Now I have no locks and always carry my sockets.

 

[GXO]

If someone wants to steal my tires or wheels they can have them.

If they can get them off before I get back to my truck that is. I rarely park outside the house and I never stay in a place too long when driving it (usually a trail run so gas, food, etc are the only reasons to stop).

I would be tempted if I just put a bunch of green into some tires and wheels...you do realize they make a neat little console drawer that fits all sorts of things in it?

 

[FJ809496TLC]

I wouldn't if I were you. Thieves usually steal wheels without locks because it's easier. Try to find a hiding place inside your Cruiser. Just remember where you put your key at.

 

[GXO]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention...they would also be stealing some $40 steel wheels and my cheap-o street tires...have at em!

 

[Junk]

Considering everything associated with snatching a tire off a lifted 80 series, I think that scumbag thieves would be better off rechecking their analytical skills if they deem it worth the effort.

 

[mabrodis]

That's a good story RavenTai, I did the EXACT same thing, only I didn't actually find my lock. I had always been very careful about putting it back in the bag. Then the one time I realize I need it I have no clue where it is. Wasnt' in the bad, then I get these bright ideas like it's in the toolbox (never has been in the toolbox but I swear I could picture it there)...looked, nothing, then I looked other random places. Finally just beat on a socket (3/4" 12-point works on the factory ones) and took it off, problem is then getting the lock from the socket. I tried to pop the socket off the lock before getting off the wheel stud, but couldn't with one, end up never the lock out of the socket.

Finally took a friend's dremel and cut the socket off, it shot across the garage when it was cut from the tension on it..

Promptly ordered more real lugnuts and will never use wheel locks again. My luck is just to bad, I know I'd need one offroad and drop the key in a hole or have it bounce down the hillside, etc.

I've never heard of anyone getting their wheels/tires stolen. I'm sure it could happen but certainly not something I'm 'worried' about. I have heard of several people getting tires slashed, in which case the lock just makes changing it harder...

Just my -$0.01..
Mark Brodis

 

[scottm]

You guys are scaring me, I'm gonna spraypaint my key orange. I park for days at a busstop in Indiana or the O'Hare parking lot. There are more desireable vehicles all around mine, but I'm still nervous. Thieves are opportunists, they'll usually take whatever's easiest if they think they can sell it.

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

Good idea re parking next to someone that has a nicer truck/tires/rims...like the saying - you don't have to run faster than the bear, you just have to be faster than your friend!

I've tended to avoid them as well, but I have thought about locking the spare - it looks like it takes a padlock?

 

[NorCalDoug]

I lost my key after having to change the tire in 6" of rushing water -- ripped the valve stem off. I'd sworn that I put the thing back in with my tools, but it was no where to be found.

With the way my rims look now, I doubt anyone would want them. My first hard-core wheeling trip doaled out a serious beating on my rims. I'm not too concerned with tire/wheel theft -- around here they're mostly looking for aftermarket rims (Honda/Acura/etc.).

My local dealership had no problems removing the locks on mine -- I think they have master keys.

 

[hoser]

One day, my neighbor found his somewhat new 4Runner was sitting on it's belly. Somebody had stolen his OEM wheels in front of his house. He replaced them with some generic alloy wheels since it was cheaper than OEM.

 

[RavenTai]

One day, my neighbor found his somewhat new 4Runner was sitting on it's belly. Somebody had stolen his OEM wheels in front of his house. He replaced them with some generic alloy wheels since it was cheaper than OEM.

Rough neighborhood? My neighborhood is pretty quiet. At work I park high security badge only lot, the rest is short term, suburban restaurants and stores etc, I guess anything is possible but I think it is unlikely that mine would get stolen

 

[hoser]

Actually, if you live in a big city, it doesn't matter if you live in a good neighborhood or not. The rough neighborhoods are only blocks from the good neighborhoods. I think most thiefs try not to steal from their own neighborhood.

 

[RavenTai]

hmm good point, I live within commuting distance to a big city, but to far for the crive to have a big effect