Lug nut confusion

[Alex05]

Jeep Noob/dumb question alert!
I've attached a few pictures to this post. I have the optional aluminum wheels with what appear to be special lug-nuts on my LJ. I don't understand how I can use the keyed socket with, say, a 3/8" drive ratchet or 1/2" drive ratchet. All I'm trying to do is check torque! What in the world is going on with this socket and how is anyone supposed to be able to use it with normal hand tools?

 

[MillAlien]

You use a socket wrench with the lug adapter - looks like the adapter you have will accept either of two socket sizes.

 

[Bootheel Boy]

I have the same setup on my Jeep. I use a 1/2 inch deep well impact socket that fits the largest size on the security socket. It always requires two sockets to tighten or loosen the lug nuts. The one you have and the one that fits over the one you have. Just remember to give the mechanic that special socket if they have to work on anything that requires tire removal. Even more important to remember is get that special socket back from the mechanic.

 

[JDS123]

Ratchet -> size socket that fits on the adapter -> adapter -> lug nut

 

[Alex05]

Ratchet -> size socket that fits on the adapter -> adapter -> lug nut

THIS ^ Thank you!! I knew I was missing something fundamental about how this worked.
Is there any reason not to (aside from the theft deterrent of the security lug nuts) ditch these security lug nuts and just use normal lug nuts?

 

[Chris]

@Alex01, meet @Alex05!

 

[Rubicon88]

If they're all the special lugnut you can use a shallow 19mm as you'll need the keyed socket (your pictured socket) to do them all.

Don't forget to tighten or check in a star pattern.

Good day

 

[Alex05]

They are all the special, keyed lugnut. I would much rather have normal lugnuts on all four corners, and the spare. These seem wildly impractical, all for the off-chance that someone robs a wheel off my vehicle gets foiled by this annoying lugnut. Is there anything about the wheel studs themselves that makes them only accept these special lugnuts? A special/different length stud, thread pitch, etc?

 

[JMT]

They are all the special, keyed lugnut. I would much rather have normal lugnuts on all four corners, and the spare. These seem wildly impractical, all for the off-chance that someone robs a wheel off my vehicle gets foiled by this annoying lugnut. Is there anything about the wheel studs themselves that makes them only accept these special lugnuts? A special/different length stud, thread pitch, etc?

No, trash or sell those and go get a set of 1/2-20 conical lugnuts.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

All of them? Holy cow, I don't know what they were thinking. When I bought my TJ it had one on 3 of the 4 driven wheels. The first time I took it to the local shop I can trust he suggested getting 3 new nuts. I requested 4 since the 5th nut on the 4th wheel looked mismatched from at least 10 feet away. When I picked the Jeep up they handed me two of those locking nuts back. I asked if they ended up breaking one and they said no, we just figured having one on the spare was better since it's so high up and can be stolen pretty quick and without a jack. A year or so later when rotating my tires I realized the 4 new ones were a little shorter than the other 16 so I looked at the paperwork about them and found them to be actual Mopar parts. For some reason I put one of those opposite every valve stem. OCD maybe?

 

[LONGJP2]

Speaking of lug nuts.
I bought a 4 pack of McGards to see if I like them.
I guess they'll work.

 

[TRevs]

I had mismatched lugnuts on mine when I bought it. I went with McGard and have been satisfied so far. '3/4" 1/2-20 60 degree conical.' I did get one of their keyed nuts per wheel, but lost the key and went back to them for a replacement. Kind of a pain so I went with no keyed lugnuts since I'm using 15-year old Ravines in B-condition.