Lug nut tech for Marauder wheels

[kdv]

Hello MercuryMarauder.net members,

Recently I picked up a 2003 Grand Marquis LSE. Terrific car, but needed help in the visual department. One item to help that was a used set of Marauder wheels, which went onto the car yesterday now that winter is over.

It needs new lug nuts though, the stock ones are not very flattering.

The stock nuts seem to be holding the wheels on fine, as they are cone style, and the wheel has a bit of a cone shape where the nut goes against it.

BUT, the holes on the wheels seem a little large to be held in by only a cone nut, do they need a "Mag-Type" with a washer? Can't find any good info out there.

http://www.elementauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/lugtypes.gif

[MM2004]

Welcome to the site!

Try here -> http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=69313&highlight=gorilla

Good luck!

Mike.

[gdmjoe]

.
The stock, OEM lug nuts are acorn. They're ( from your provided pic's ) "Hex Nut Conical Seal". They're also a capped lug nut - meaning: they have a stainless steel acorn cap that's pressed-on to the actual lug nut. Over time, these caps can loosen and fall-off.

Recommend that you get -solid- chrome acorn lug nuts made by Gorilla.
http://www.gdmjoe.com/chromelugnut.jpgLook OEM, however, are VERY HIGH quality.

As for lug nut spec's ...
½" x 20 *the wheel stud is 1½" longhttp://www.gdmjoe.com/cvscriptfender.jpg

[kdv]

You guys are great, having a quality answer in minutes!

About the OEM nuts, it was in reference to the Marquis' OEM nuts, these gorgeous beauties:

http://www.gulfcoastrovers.com/images/products/lugnut/lugnuts.gif

Called my local Napa guy, $53 and the Gorilla set is ordered! Cheap nuts are out, had a bad experience with the OEM lugs on my Lincoln LS (Mag-Type w/washer), mushrooming/deforming - was awful. Surprisingly the Chrysler Sebring Convert. nuts were the recommended replacement as per the message board for those cars.

Thank you Gents, it'll be nice knowing it'll be hard for anybody to steal my new wheels+tires.

[MM2004]

The Gorilla locking nuts are my choice and have had them on my MM for 6 years now and still look great!

Considering what these rims cost to replace, damn good insurance for $53.00.

Spend the $9.00 and order an additional tool once you pick up the lug nuts.

There will be a card in the package with a serial number needed for the tool.

;)

Mike.

[MM2004]

BTW...

Here's how they look up close and personal like:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/Marauder032010017.jpg

Mike.

[kdv]

That looks dang good - new wallpaper! Not sure if I'll get an extra lug tool, am pretty good at keeping them in a safe place.

Even though my wheel+tire package was cheap, they're expensive enough to not want to lose them. And although my garage is empty - the car is too long to fit! At least my worthless junk is secure....

[fastblackmerc]

Gorilla Locks
Gorilla Guard Locks (4 locks, free spinning sleeve on the outside of the lock) -
61681 - Chrome
Gorilla Locks (4 locks) - 71681N - Chrome, 71681NBC - Black Chrome
Gorilla Lock System (20 locks) - 71683N - Chrome, 71683NBC - Black Chrome

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

+1, 2 or 3 for the Gorilla locks!

[fastblackmerc]

+1, 2 or 3 for the Gorilla locks!

The 20 lock system is the way to protect your wheels.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

^ Yup, they make them in black chrome finish now too.

[Got_1]

KDV: where in Ontario are you from?

[kdv]

Not too far up the road, just past London in the town of Ingersoll.

Noticed too late that there's a black chrome nut - that would have looked great. Oh well, I'm thinking of a 2nd set for the TownCar, it runs Mustang wheels - not nearly as desireable to steal though, and the nuts aren't overly visible.

And I know it's not nearly as cool as a real Marauder, I am sharing today's shot of the new wheels+tires on. Imitation being a form of flattery and all? It is still a little geezerish, needing tint, chrome bits painted body color, exhaust work, etc. But hey - it's only just starting to be warm enough to work on cars - and lots of time before it gets cold out again.

[JOEMERC]

Im suprised at how many marauder meets ive been to and not many have wheel locks.that was one of the first things i did,and i park mine in a garage.cheap insurance against them growing legs.....if you know what i mean.

[Got_1]

Im suprised at how many marauder meets ive been to and not many have wheel locks.that was one of the first things i did,and i park mine in a garage.cheap insurance against them growing legs.....if you know what i mean.

IMO, if someone wants your wheels bad enough, they'll get them.
I have removed plenty of wheel locks when customers have misplaced the key for them. Now i can't speak for these gorilla locks because i haven't had experience with them but most of the locks that are round can easily be removed by hammering a 20mm or 22mm socket over them and remove with breaker bar.

[GetMeMyStogie]

A Gorilla key + a dremel + shave off all but one 'finger' = instant, universal Gorilla lock key. No late night hammering required.

[JOEMERC]

Yeah but why make it easier for them,they may not want to be banging a socket with a hammer outside in the street at 2 in the morning making a racket my .02 .

[RF Overlord]

It's been said that if someone wants your car badly enough, they will have it, regardless of what kind of theft deterrent is installed. The basic premise is to make your car harder to steal than the one in the next parking space. I think the same concept applies to the wheels. If your car has a set of wheel locks, hopefully the crooks will move on to the car that doesn't.

[GetMeMyStogie]

Yeah but why make it easier for them,they may not want to be banging a socket with a hammer outside in the street at 2 in the morning making a racket my .02 .

Exactly my point. McGard locks are more secure than the Gorilla locks, IMHO.

[fastblackmerc]

It's been said that if someone wants your car badly enough, they will have it, regardless of what kind of theft deterrent is installed. The basic premise is to make your car harder to steal than the one in the next parking space. I think the same concept applies to the wheels. If your car has a set of wheel locks, hopefully the crooks will move on to the car that doesn't.

Locks and other security devices "keep honest people honest".

[ctrlraven]

Spend the $9.00 and order an additional tool once you pick up the lug nuts.

There will be a card in the package with a serial number needed for the tool.

;)

Mike.
That's the first thing I will be doing before I even put them on my car is to order an additional tool for them.


The 20 lock system is the way to protect your wheels.
+1

^ Yup, they make them in black chrome finish now too.
+1 Ordered mine and just waiting for them.

[J.bo]

Exactly my point. McGard locks are more secure than the Gorilla locks, IMHO.

Can you explain how McGard is more secure than Gorilla?

[GetMeMyStogie]

Can you explain how McGard is more secure than Gorilla?

I thought I already did :/

But, let me put it another way. A crook can make himself a universal Gorilla lock key for less than $100, and it will remove your 20 Gorilla locks as if they were plain old hex nuts. A McGard lock takes a lot more effort to remove without the original key.

[Bluerauder]

.
The stock, OEM lug nuts are acorn. They're ( from your provided pic's ) "Hex Nut Conical Seal". They're also a capped lug nut - meaning: they have a stainless steel acorn cap that's pressed-on to the actual lug nut. Over time, these caps can loosen and fall-off.


Just noticed today that I must have thrown one of the SS acorn caps from my left rear wheel. Looks like I be looking at the Gorilla replacements this weekend.

I don't recall hearing anything spin off. :dunno:

[Bluerauder]

.
The stock, OEM lug nuts are acorn. They're ( from your provided pic's ) "Hex Nut Conical Seal". They're also a capped lug nut - meaning: they have a stainless steel acorn cap that's pressed-on to the actual lug nut. Over time, these caps can loosen and fall-off.

Recommend that you get -solid- chrome acorn lug nuts made by Gorilla.
http://www.gdmjoe.com/chromelugnut.jpgLook OEM, however, are VERY HIGH quality.

As for lug nut spec's ...
½" x 20 *the wheel stud is 1½" long

I threw one of the SS acorn caps and picked up an OEM replacement from the FORD parts counter. Part # 9R3Z-1012-A. I think I paid $9.12 all told. Seems a bit pricey; but I am glad to have my driver rear wheel looking right again.

[JoeBoomz]

Check out my shiny new (and pointy!) nuts!

I decided to try this set of 20 locking chrome bullet nuts on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_rdcZ1QQite mZ250834307159QQruZhttpQ3aQ2fQ 2fshopQ2eebayQ2ecomQ3a80Q2fiQ2 ehtmlQ3fQ5ffromQ3dR40Q26Q5ftrk sidQ3dp5197Q2em570Q2el1313Q26Q 5fnkwQ3d250834307159Q26Q5fsaca tQ3dSeeQ2dAllQ2dCategoriesQ26Q 5ffviQ3d1

http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Nuts/IMG00992-20110715-1245.jpg

I'm pretty happy with the results! Oil the threads because some of them weren't perfect, but they all went on smoothly. Here are some stock-to-bullet comparisons:

http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Nuts/IMG00993-20110715-2030.jpg

http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Nuts/IMG00994-20110715-2030.jpg

http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Nuts/IMG00996-20110715-2031.jpg

http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Nuts/IMG00995-20110715-2031.jpg

I haven't visited the dyno yet to see if there's any horsepower improvement. :P

[sailsmen]

If you had to oil the threads because some were not perfect why did you put them on your car? Aren't you S/C?

The only thing between you and the ground is the tires mounted on the wheels. I suggest you take them off and throw them in the trash.

[fastblackmerc]

If you had to oil the threads because some were not perfect why did you put them on your car? Aren't you S/C?

The only thing between you and the ground is the tires mounted on the wheels. I suggest you take them off and throw them in the trash.

Oil the threads!!!! :shake::shake::shake:

Threads not perfect!!!! :eek::eek::eek::eek:

I'd NEVER put them on any of my vehicles...... NEVER!!!

[JoeBoomz]

Oh cmon guys, I'll post back here in a year and let you know everything's still good. I oil everything with a machine thread, these just had some shavings left over from the threading process.

[boatmangc]

IMO, if someone wants your wheels bad enough, they'll get them.
I have removed plenty of wheel locks when customers have misplaced the key for them. Now i can't speak for these gorilla locks because i haven't had experience with them but most of the locks that are round can easily be removed by hammering a 20mm or 22mm socket over them and remove with breaker bar.
And of course there are kits like this.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952166000P

[boatmangc]

I also like these.
http://badcopnodonuts.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC08230.JPG