Notice to those who have replaced lug nuts

[Trigganometry]

Hey guys,
I just upgraded tires and wheels. The seller included lug nuts with the purchase and only said that they were upgraded and longer that the original factory's. Not sure of the spec's. If needed, I can get them for you after the Gorilla's are installed and replaced with the upgraded lug nuts. I had the service dept. to install the upgraded lug nuts with the upgraded tires and wheels. Also just got some Gorilla wheel locks but haven't installed them yet. Any advice about removing and installing the upgraded lug nuts in case of a flat (tools needed, torque, protecting the lug nuts, etc.)? Also any insights on installing and removing the Gorilla's (tools needed, etc)? Should I keep my factory original lug nuts? Thanks for any help!

Should be pretty straightforward. Socket size should be the same for the lugs and wheel lock removal tool. In my truck I keep an 18” long 1/2 breaker breaker bar with the socket. I don’t use factory jack. I went to harbor freight and got an aluminum 3 ton floor jack I keep in the truck. It’s not Indy fast for tire changes but getting there!!! ?

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[OrangeStreak]

Should be pretty straightforward. Socket size should be the same for the lugs and wheel lock removal tool. In my truck I keep an 18” long 1/2 breaker breaker bar with the socket. I don’t use factory jack. I went to harbor freight and got an aluminum 3 ton floor jack I keep in the truck. It’s not Indy fast for tire changes but getting there!!! ?

Is yours a ratcheting breaker bar? I'm thinking this non-ratcheting one from Harbor would probably be sufficient since it will only be used for the rare occasion of changing a flat (I would 1st call roadside assistance and only change it if they were not available) or would ratcheting be a better choice?
1/2 in. Drive 18 in. Breaker Bar (harborfreight.com)

Do you use an extension off the breaker bar and also with a deep 3/4" socket? If you ever had to remove lug nuts with the breaker bar, do you replace them using a torque wrench? I have a floor jack but it takes up a lot of space in my SCab, especially when I'm traveling.

 

[AzScorpion]

Is yours a ratcheting breaker bar? I'm thinking this non-ratcheting one from Harbor would probably be sufficient since it will only be used for the rare occasion of changing a flat (I would 1st call roadside assistance and only change it if they were not available) or would ratcheting be a better choice?
1/2 in. Drive 18 in. Breaker Bar (harborfreight.com)

Do you use an extension off the breaker bar with a deep 1/2 socket? If you ever had to remove lug nuts with the breaker bar, do you replace them using a torque wrench? I have a floor jack but it takes up a lot of space in my SCab, especially when I'm traveling.

Paul, that's why I just bought a bottle jack because the floor jack is just to big and heavy to take on trips. I can carry this in a small recovery bag with some spare tools. Amazon has a few good bottle jacks and I was looking at this one here. I ended up getting a really good one built in the USA but it did cost a lot more than the Amazon one at $218.00 shipped.

https://www.gustininc.com/us-jack-d-51123-5-ton-bottle-jack./

 

[OrangeStreak]

Paul, that's why I just bought a bottle jack because the floor jack is just to big and heavy to take on trips. I can carry this in a small recovery bag with some spare tools. Amazon has a few good bottle jacks and I was looking at this one here. I needed up getting a really good one built in the USA but it did cost a lot more than the Amazon one at $218.00.

Good price Dave! I would very, very rarely change a flat or pull a tire off and don't need to rotate the tires myself when Firestone will do it for nothing with my membership. My store does outstanding work and they have have several good Ford experienced mechanics. In my case of very limited use, would there be a big downside of using the Ranger jack?

 

[AzScorpion]

Good price Dave! I would very, very rarely change a flat or pull a tire off and don't need to rotate the tires myself when Firestone will do it for nothing with my membership. My store does outstanding work and they have have several good Ford experienced mechanics. In my case of very limited use, would there be a big downside of using the Ranger jack?

Nothing really Paul besides being a PITA to get to and get set up. I usually get my tires rotate with my oil changes too but I bought that one for the "just in case" instance I need it either on the road or out off road somewhere. It was definitely overkill but the price difference between that one and a 2 ton was like $5.00 and this one has a higher lifting range.

 

[Trigganometry]

Is yours a ratcheting breaker bar? I'm thinking this non-ratcheting one from Harbor would probably be sufficient since it will only be used for the rare occasion of changing a flat (I would 1st call roadside assistance and only change it if they were not available) or would ratcheting be a better choice?
1/2 in. Drive 18 in. Breaker Bar (harborfreight.com)

Do you use an extension off the breaker bar and also with a deep 1/2 socket? If you ever had to remove lug nuts with the breaker bar, do you replace them using a torque wrench? I have a floor jack but it takes up a lot of space in my SCab, especially when I'm traveling.

Straight nonrachet 1/2 breaker bar at 18” long. Can pretty much crack any nut it you put your leg strength into it. Extension isn’t necessary as it’s 18” so plenty of leverage. I did go get an impact socket for heavy wall construction. Split more normal sockets over time than I care to admit.

 

[OrangeStreak]

Straight nonrachet 1/2 breaker bar at 18” long. Can pretty much crack any nut it you put your leg strength into it. Extension isn’t necessary as it’s 18” so plenty of leverage. I did go get an impact socket for heavy wall construction. Split more normal sockets over time than I care to admit.

By an extension, I meant from the breaker head to the socket? Looks like the Harbor breaker one will be good to go .

 

[OrangeStreak]

Nothing really Paul besides being a PITA to get to and get set up. I usually get my tires rotate with my oil changes too but I bought that one for the "just in case" instance I need it either on the road or out off road somewhere. It was definitely overkill but the price difference between that one and a 2 ton was like $5.00 and this one has a higher lifting range.

Is "just in case" another by-product of the Money Pit?

 

[AzScorpion]

Is "just in case" another by-product of the Money Pit?

Pretty much. lol It sounds better and helps justify spending more money.

 

[OrangeStreak]

Pretty much. lol It sounds better and helps justify spend more money.

Your getting honest about it now!

 

[Trigganometry]

Pretty much. lol It sounds better and helps justify spend more money.

I learned that trick from the wife! If I had this my life would be SO much better. Don’t you think? Works like a charm boys!

 

[OrangeStreak]

I learned that trick from the wife! If I had this my life would be SO much better. Don’t you think? Works like a charm boys!

Nothing works like beating around the bush

 

[OrangeStreak]

It is probably obvious, but I wanted to point it out to hopefully save someone a headache down the line.

The factory lug nuts are 3/4", as is the included lug wrench on the truck. The gorilla automotive lug nuts I swapped are 13/16.

No big deal, but if you get a flat tire, you wont be able to use the lug wrench on the truck to get your tire off. Be sure to put tools on your truck so you can get them off when needed.

This is how I mounted a lug wrench behind the rear seat (and a couple of hitches as well ?). It fits better than it looks from this picture.

Good point Jason. I getting ready to install the Gorilla's and need to be ready for both scenario's. Are all 2019-2021 Ranger factory Lug nuts a standard 3/4" regardless of the OEM tire and wheel packages ordered?

 

[Bludrok]

Good point Jason. I getting ready to install the Gorilla's and need to be ready for both scenario's. Are all 2019-2021 Ranger factory Lug nuts a standard 3/4" regardless of the OEM tire and wheel packages ordered?

I believe so, but can only confirm the factory lugs on my Lariat with Tremor package are 3/4".

 

[OrangeStreak]

I believe so, but can only confirm the factory lugs on my Lariat with Tremor package are 3/4".

That's probably right that they are all standard 3/4" because my STX package set also came with 3/4".

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