Long story short, I managed to have a security incident where someone attempted to, at least started to try to steal my wheels / tires while I was at work. I guess they couldn't manage to get the truck high enough to actually pull the wheels off, but they did manage to get the Pro Comp wheel locks off. And I didn't notice until the wheel fell off a block later coming to the stop sign. Thankfully all the damage I managed was a slightly bent fender, one snapped off, and one bent stud, and a scrape on the inside of the rim...

I REALLY need wheel locks that WORK...

Can anyone recommend locks for the 2004 F150 that are actually useful? I don't want to EVER go through this again...

On the plus side of things, my rims are available again. So I have an opportunity, albeit one I am forced into, to get the spare tire mounted up on a matching rim...

 

I have McGuard chrome lug nuts and Wheel Locks on my Lariat. I got them at Pep Boys. I have a set of chrome KMC Skitch rims. Been using McGuards for years. I've only had one incident. I have a '94 T'bird. I had a set of the stock 15" aluminum Fan Blade rims on her. Looked nice, but ordinary. A few years ago I came across a set of the Ford "Chrome" Fan Blade rims. They are rare and hard to find in nice condition. These are almost perfect. I bought them and put McGuard locks on them. About two years ago someone tried to heist them. They didn't get the rims, but the Bast@@ds stole about half the lug nuts. Guess they were pis**d because they couldn't get the rims.....

 

I've been looking but I don't think there are ANY locking lug nuts that use unique keys! Most companies only use ONE key for all of their "locking" lugs!

 

Wheel locks, like every other lock are a deterrent. Nothing will stop a truly determined and skilled thief.

 

I have the Pro Comp splined nuts on there now. The Chrome is coming off now and I am SERIOUSLY considering going back with another set just to clean it up and let the insurance take care of the remaining damage. It mashed the fender a bit, and it bulges slightly by the door. Heck if I could get that part back in, I don't care about the lower part, it gives me more clearance for the tire!

 

Well, as for the keys being the same? that's untrue, at least in my case. I have McGuard locks on both the T'bird and the truck. The key for my truck will not fit the locks on the T'bird, and vice versa. Yes, locks are just a deterrant. Anything you can do to take the 'Opportunity" away, or make it more of a hassle is worth it. Most Thugs are not "skilled" thieves. Better to have them then not. Saved mine on the T'bird?

 

Jeez . . . thank God you weren't on the highway when it fell off . . .

 

Ha! Yes, skilled is probably the wrong word. There is a video out there somewhere that shows how to defeat them, though. Take a socket just undersized, put it on the lock, hammer it on and turn.

Reminds me of the huge bike locks that they found can be opened with a Bic pen lid in a half second.

 

I think the funniest example of "security" is tool box locks. Every company uses the same selection of keys, and the code for the key is right on the outside of the lock, clearly visible. And the keys are literally $1 on eBay. This helped when I broke my toolbox key and need another one, but I could get every key for tonneau covers, tool boxes, bed boxes, etc. for less than $15 and have a field day.

 

On driving it, Yea, really. Luckily the center caps were off and that's how I knew they were tampered with. The thugs even didn't take the centers. This was on a street in a private development. They were laying in the street. Probably just wanted them for a quick buck. I really don't know how pressing a socket on it would work. but if there is a video out there I guess it's been tried.

 

For most brands it IS true! I've been buying locking lugs for my cars since the mid 1970s (40 years) and I've even bought used factory OEM locking lugs from E-bay and new ones from auto parts stores to replace missing/damaged ones that I had and in every case, my key fit the replacement locking lugs! In fact, I've never found a replacement locking lug that my existing key didn't fit!

I've even gone to places like Summit and Auto Anything and carefully read their descriptions of every brand locking lugs that they sell and in NONE of them did they say anything about having different, multiple, unique keys for their locking lugs! Only that they "locked"! Obviously I haven't ever tried dozens of every brand and model locking lug on the market so I can't say that no one, nowhere, ever had more than ONE key for their locking lugs but when the manufacturers won't even state that they actually DO have different keys then it worries me!


"Skilled thieves"

Look, any time someone shows up in the middle of the night with a vehicle that's big enough to carry away four complete wheels and tires AND bring a floor jack AND four concrete blocks to sit the car on AND what ever tools are necessary to get your wheels off, then I would consider them a "sKilled" thief! We're NOT dealing with casual thieves here! I think anyone that is that prepared is also likely to have gone out and bought, no, ACQUIRED a key to fit the lugs for the wheels that they're after!

Tell me, has anyone ever got up in the morning and found their car jacked up car on blocks and the LOCKED wheels and tires STILL on it?

 

Now, lets not get in a shouting match her bud. I simply said, My locks and keys from the same manufacturer will not interchange. I too have had and used different wheel locks over the years. I've not run into that problem with the locks I've used in the past, Therefore that's my opinion. If that's your experience that's fine. There is a chance keys will match up. I remember back in the day, when we sold cars, and I had to re-posses a vehicle for non-payment, I would always carry keys from other vehicles. Because sometimes a key from one would open the door, and a completely different key would start it. And being in the used car business we dealt with a lot of cars with wheel locks. What you described is one scenario. Skilled thieves are those who are looking to steal, therefore, they will carry Burglary Tools. A few kids can throw some blocks in the back of a truck, grab some wheel lock keys and whatever else they think they need and have at it. And they don't have to be skilled to do it. Like I said, make it difficult and they will pass it up and move on.

 

I think if this considerably unskilled guy can do it, just about anyone could. . .
Works just like a nut/bolt extractor.

 

I watched the first 40 seconds and that was enough . . .

 

Whadya know? it works. Seemed a little easy to turn the breaker bar though. Must not of been torqued on to tight. At home, in that situation that's a cool thing to try. But if I was out in the middle of the night looking to heist some rims, I don't think I'd want to be doing a lot of loud rapping?