Wheel locks for appliance wire mesh 14x6/14x7 wheels on '76 280z

[dkassulke]

I'm looking for new wheel locks that will fit Appliance wire mesh wheels from the '70's on my '76 280z-wheels 14x6 front and 14x7 on rear. Does anyone know the wheel lock that would work, especially McGard or Gorilla??? I have locks on now but chrome chipped and rusting. No, I don't know the brand of the current locks that are on wheels.

[black gold man]

12x1.25 lug locks - Google Search

Look for one that has washer and shank like your lugs.

[dkassulke]

12x1.25 lug locks - Google Search

Look for one that has washer and shank like your lugs.

I ended up buying 12MM1.254 roto lug nuts with 13/16 hex head for use on appliance wheels through Ebay-.Massey's. Said there were no locks available. Gratiotwheel said he can get a McGard lock set but did not share stock #. I found a McGard shank lock set on Ebay that I think would work but just need confirmation.

[dkassulke]

Gold black man,

I think I bought wrong lugs-probably roto lugs will not work. Received email from gratiotwheel this am and he clarified that appliance wire mesh had 2 wheels-one takes shank lug and one roto lug. I have shank lugs on now. Massey's on eBay thought i needed roto so sent them pix of wheels and lugs-my order is now cancelled. I jumped the gun when I should have waited for all the email replies. Now I know I can get a McGard wheel lock set. Thanks for input.

[Arne]

Bear in mind that the pre-Rotolug Appliance wheels had a shorter shank depth than most other mags. Normal shank lugs and locks will be too long, normally by about the thickness of a second washer. Instead of the normal 3/4" shank, you'll want to get some with about 5/8" shanks.

Me personally? I despise wheel locks of all kinds, and would never go out of my way to buy a set for any wheels. They are nothing but annoyances, and won't prevent an semi-experienced wheel thief from lifting your rims. And I don't think there's a lot of demand out there for your old Appliances, anyway. Just my 2¢.

[dkassulke]

Thanks for your 2 cents and I agree with you after further research. I decided against the McGard lug nuts or lock because the found a site called SFX Performance Parts that sell a Gorilla OEM lug nut, and lock as well, that basically fit almost all 4 lug Datsun/Nissan. I found out this weekend, when I was able to look at my Z, that the lug nuts on the Appliance wire mesh wheels were stamped with DATSUN '68-'71. I interpret this to mean that my wheels fit factory lug nuts. If anyone needs this info in the future the part numbers for lug nut set and lock set are as follows: 73128T and 73621T. By the way, I think these wheels are awesome!! LOVE Eugene,OR but love my MN Vikings more so will stay in MINNESOTA.

[Arne]

I found out this weekend, when I was able to look at my Z, that the lug nuts on the Appliance wire mesh wheels were stamped with DATSUN '68-'71.

Actually, that stamping was how the original Appliance lug nuts were marked, by car application. The same wheels also fit Toyotas, but Toyota has a different thread pitch, so when I sold these back in the day, I'd grab the four wheels and whichever lugs where applicable for the car they were going on. Later versions they just stamped the 4 digit Appliance part number on them instead. IIRC, the 12x1.25 lugs ended in '34' while the 12x1.5 ended in '35'. The first two digits identified the style of lugnut. Steel wheels were '04', the really short shank for some flat steel wheels were '05', and the mag lugs were '06' - I think.

LOVE Eugene,OR but love my MN Vikings more so will stay in MINNESOTA.

Different priorities, I guess. I won't let a sports team of any flavor influence where I live. I live here DESPITE the Ducks, not BECAUSE of them.

[dkassulke]

Thanks again for sharing all your knowledge. Born and raised in MN so after 22 yr Army career I wanted to return. Too much rainy, cloudy days in OR but beautiful!! Land of 10,000 Lakes is not bad either. Can't wait until I get my Z done and drive on nice sunny spring or fall day. CHEERS

[TomoHawk]

Man,

I can't tell you how important an equipment log is on a car like that. Unless you have a very common car like a Honda for a Daily driver, you can be sure anything you do is 'special,' so keeping a log with the date and part#, specs, and supplier is very important, so you don't end up like this