Do you use wheel locks?

[Jazer]

I have a McGard lock on each wheel. You cant stop someone determined but sometimes all you need is something that makes it a lil more complicated and they will move on to an easier target.

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[Lej512]

Thinking about getting Mcgard wheel locks but have never had a pair on another car.
I feel like the spare may be attractive to thieves, but am not sure if anyone would try to steal the actual wheels on the truck because of how heavy it is.
Do you use wheel locks on the spare? All 5 wheels?

I bought McGards right after I got my 2023 BD. Same logic - Spare is a pretty easy grab with just three lug nuts. I got the same feedback; waste of money, easy to defeat, etc. Only regret I had was posting about it.

 

[SeptuagenerianSasquatch]

I fully agree with everything you said, if you can extend the amount of time or the complexity it takes to steal something then most thieves will move onto something easier to take.

However, a bolt extractor made short work of those:

Great video, I love these guys' fun --and sardonic--attitude. Goes to show that given time, opportunity, and a variety of tools close at hand, wheel locks can be defeated. Hopefully, the guy(s) who go after your wheels doesn't have the one or two tools which defeat what you've installed.

That said, add to the "visibility" factor, noise: more banging, grunting and cussing, electric motor, things like that can increase the obstacle factors a thief must consider when deciding whether to go after your truck, or somebody else's.

Edit: the guy on the video's first frame reminds of "Mr. Dirt" from the Mobil Gas ads of the 1960s.

Folks beneath my ageframe, search "Mr Dirt Mobil ads" and click "videos" for a great peak into car culture of the 1960s.

 

[Sherminiator]

On the flip side, replacing the stock lug nuts will take care of the terrible 2 piece design they come with.

 

[2023bronco]

My dealer put the locks on, wish they hadn't, if anyone has any OEM non-locking lug nuts around let me know, dealer wants more than I am willing to pay for a nut. Thanks

The OEM lug nuts are junk 2-piece design. I replaced them with non-locking solid ones. When you have a cover on an OEM one split you'll know why.

 

[onestout]

The OEM lug nuts are junk 2-piece design. I replaced them with non-locking solid ones. When you have a cover on an OEM one split you'll know why.

they make a special Ford lug nut socket, it is a 21.5mm socket....it actually does exist. The ones on my 18 F150 are swelling quite well

 

[zombie]

You don't even need to be a determined thief... a $50 set of lug nut extractors will take off just about anything as fast as it would if you didn't have locking wheel nuts.

 

[indio22]

Agreed. A lifetime ago my father taught me "locks are for honest people". Obviously people that steal aren't really all that honest but locks deter the casual thief and, for me, that's good enough. Knowing that determined thieves can steal pretty much *anything* doesn't mean resigning myself to doing nothing (else why lock your home?).

Non-Bronco example: I still have and use the discontinued line of Cobra Link motorcycle lock on my Electra-Glide. That's a super badazz lock and a very heavy motorcycle. *Real* thieves don't bother with the lock they instead have a pickup truck or van and some burly dudes that just heave the whole thing into the truck/van and take off - within a minute. The damage done to the bike is immaterial to them. Does that mean I shouldn't lock my 'glide? Not to me, at least.

I opted for the factory wheel locks. No doubt there's better options out there if you don't already have the factory ones but I figure the thieves that can circumvent the factory ones can probably do the same for the competition. I'm way more worried about the people that steal the *truck* than I am the wheels.

Most of the thefts against me have been of the casual/opportunist variety. I found two keys are stay off their radar (out of sight - out of mind), and make the situation just difficult enough for them to go after easier pickings. My wheels aren't pricey but are nearly impossible to get now, so I'm planning to pick up some wheel locks.

 

[CalvinT]

To remove wheels on the ground need jack and 90 ft-lbs torque.
To remove spare, 40 ft-lbs torque and no jack.

My biggest concern was preventing a crime of opportunity (meth heads, etc). So I installed three Advanced wheel locks on my spare. Three will require more time/effort plus they look good.

I'm not that concerned about the other four wheels. I'm running stock wheels and stock tires. I think professional thieves will go for aftermarket wheels first.

 

[Combustion_King]

Yes, but they came with them when i bought it, not sure if it was dealer thing or not, but i have 5.

 

[Wathoff24]

Thinking about getting Mcgard wheel locks but have never had a pair on another car.
I feel like the spare may be attractive to thieves, but am not sure if anyone would try to steal the actual wheels on the truck because of how heavy it is.
Do you use wheel locks on the spare? All 5 wheels?

I use the McGard wheel locks on all 5. It may be impractical for someone to try and steal the wheels, but it’s more of a peace of mind issue. (McGard 24537 Cone Seat Wheel Locks Chrome (M12 x 1.5 Thread Size) - Set of 5, 5 Locks / 1 Key)

 

[V1Rotate]

Am I the only one who has a set of 5 37” Toyo MT’s that are just about in need of replacement and would consider it the luckiest thing to happen if I got to pay my $100 insurance deductible for a new set of wheels and tires? Guess I need to start parking where you guys are

 

[CarGuy]

I don’t have wheel locks on any of my vehicles and never had a wheel stolen. More likely a thief will steal the catalytic converter than the wheels - easier/faster to take and coverts to $s easier.

 

[Dreamer]

My only concern was the crime of opportunity for the spare tire while parked in parking garage, etc. Put a locking Lugnuts on the spare tire only.

Regarding Ford Lugnuts, have experienced the dreaded swollen nut on many ford cars I’ve owned in the past. It’s a pain to get them off once they start to swell up.

 

[DriveAllNight]

My last 3 vehicles came with them free, I didn't expect it with my Bronco, but there they were.
Some dealers just throw them on without charging for them, which I find interesting but I won't complain.

The only weird part was, this time around they didn't give me the 5 lugs they took off.

As far as protection, I think it's just peace of mind from idiots.

Just keep the lock key handy when you need to drop a tire.

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