ShAkE N BaKe!!

Im going to install my new wheels this weekend and was wondering what lugs/locks you guys recommend?

shr

i hate to say this but the snap-on/matco/mac tool sales people sale tool kits to remove saftey lock lugs, it makes life pretty easy so i think that they are a good idea but never completely safe. i would get a keyed type lug not thos hex or star bit lugs. those are probably your best bet

65StangFB

Unfortunately there are tools that you hammer on and take them right off. It sounds absurd, but you could have 5 sets of locking nunts to make life a little harder for the theif. Like ESPN says "You can not stop him; you can only hope to contain him"

ldollar

65Stang and shr are right...
I have a set of locking lugs that the previous owner had and they are the mostly useless star shaped lugs. I would probably just buy a better set from Kragen or whatever your local auto parts store is. I have always had a set on my wheels in every car I have had. I have never had my rims jacked but I know a few people who have, in their own garages and right on a busy street. I have seen plenty of cars sitting on milk crates and cinderblocks right on busy streets (that is Oakland for ya!) The locking lugs are definitely not a guarantee but it makes things more difficult for the thief which sometimes is all you need. Thieves are often very lazy and stupid, this is why they are thieves. I think the most important thing is that you make it as difficult as possible for a thief to get the car.
One thing you might consider if you have not already... I have a Viper alarm on my 68 and I have a feature that will set off the alarm if the car is lifted more than 1 degree from where it was at when the alarm was armed (i.e. jacked up to get the wheels). It is a good idea. Then you need to make sure that it is not easy for a thief to get to your alarm to cut the wire or disable the siren. I paid less than $400 for my alarm installed.
Below is my hood locking contraption. The Hardened Master lock is somewhat of a deterrant.
BTW, I am sorry I have not been able to help with your backspacing question. I live on a busy street and park my car on gravel and if you can believe it I dont have a jack anyways so removing a wheel has not been a viable option this week. I hope you are able to get the information you need from other sources.
I will look forward to seeing the results on your ride! Have a great weekend!

65StangFB

Would you mind showing/telling how you did that set up? I have been thinking how I am going to do that and it involved cable coming out at the bottom. Not completely thought through yet. Thanks

TexasAxMan

I've removed tons of wheel locks with nothing more than a deep-well 1/2" drive socket and a hammer. Dirve the socket on with the hammer, then turn the socket with a ratchet or breaker bar. If I can do it, any thief can.

If they want it, they'll get it. Best bet is to be careful where you park the car. I know this is no help, and I'm not telling you you shouldn't get the locks, just be mindful that locks are not enough.

ldollar

Hey 65Stang... I will try to get some pics to post on here over the weekend. Basically the bottom lock loop was easy. The top was hard because I have a fiberglass hood. It is far from being theft proof if the thief is willing to destroy the hood to get into the engine bay. Of course a determined thief would be. The idea here is deterrant. Plus someone is going to have to make a lot of noise getting the hood open, setting off the alarm, disarming it somehow, getting past my ignition kill switch, etc...

If I was going to steal my car, I would simply tow it. That is what a pro would do. And if/when that happens, I will just have to buy another one. Its a game you play with these cars and sometimes you lose.