Good aftermarket lug nuts?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Panduh

Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2022
Posts
38
Reaction score
16
Location
Saint Augustine, FL
Engine
5.7 hemi
What is a quality aftermarket lug nut for a 2016 1500 with factory alloys? Something simple and solid, and without that horrible thin cover that deforms, spins and rips off! Are the splined lugs better than hex?
 

Jeepwalker

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2017
Posts
3,136
Reaction score
3,329
Location
WI
Ram Year
2012 Reg Cab, 4x4
Engine
5.7 Hemi
What's wrong with what you have now? Or are you changing wheels and need lug nuts? You're in FL so you have a lot of options. Are you looking for chrome or black?

For solid, look for some tripple-plated chrome lug nuts. I've seen some on Amazon and Summit which look pretty good (but haven't used personally). The 'good ones' won't be cheap, but worth it if the chrome is super nicely done. But they'll still flake from high torque impact wrenches. After a while at least. Best is to have them hand-removed, which a lot of shops don't want to do ..but some will.
 
Last edited:

Jeepwalker

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2017
Posts
3,136
Reaction score
3,329
Location
WI
Ram Year
2012 Reg Cab, 4x4
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Chrysler updated the design like 20 years ago so the stainless steel cap is 'crimped' over a ridge on the lug nut. So they don't fall off. The key is to NOT use an impact wrench on them -- Ever, and the caps won't distort. They'll keep their shape & last and look great a forever (theoretically) if treated 'right'. I put a daub of RTV around the base of mine (at the crimp) to keep moisture out.

Just ask your tire/brake shop to remove/replace the tires with a hand wrench. I noticed quite a few shops around here do that now. Don't let some monkey with a 900# impact wrench murder your lug nuts....


.
 
Last edited:

Jeepwalker

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2017
Posts
3,136
Reaction score
3,329
Location
WI
Ram Year
2012 Reg Cab, 4x4
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Here's a set of new take-off's to consider. Cheaper than aftermarket, and OEM quality. But they are 'caps' it appears ...even though you said "no caps". You can see how they're a lot nicer than in the old days. A lot of guys don't like the 'caps' but they're S/S and really do outlast chrome lug nuts in most cases (if not abused) ..and sometimes outlast by a lot. Just an option to put on your radar screen. If after 10 years they start looking beat-up, just buy another set. Verify/check your thread size, but should fit:


Like I said, put a thin daub of gray RTV around the base before you install and moisture won't get in from the back. Good luck. Let us know what you get :waytogo:
 
Last edited:

GRKN

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2022
Posts
249
Reaction score
235
Location
Michigan
Ram Year
2009
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Just the thread I needed, several of the lugs on my 09 are getting rough and need replacing. The above link looks like a great price
 

Daw14

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2017
Posts
2,028
Reaction score
2,077
Ram Year
2014
Engine
5.7 hemi
Gorilla lugs are one piece ,as are mcgaurds .the gorillas do surface rust after a short time ,about A year . But do not crumble like stock. Mcgaurd makes the locks the come with the truck , but I got rid of them when I purchased gorillas so I can’t speak to the longevity of them.
 

gofishn

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2014
Posts
5,082
Reaction score
10,130
Location
Iowa
Ram Year
2022 Ram 1500 5th Gen, Big Horn, 4X4, Crew Cab, 6'4" Box
Engine
hemi 5.7L, 345 cu in
pretty sure Ford Explorer ST are M14x1.5 and they come with black rims and chrome lugnuts. Coudl try to jump on ST Foruma nd find smoeone local lookign to switch over. I know I got a set of brand spanking nwew chrome ones sitting on my work bench, Have not yet got aroudn to see my 22 Ram has teh junky covers, like my 22014 did, or not.

If so, guess wehere my Ford Chroem ones are oging?
 

Jeepwalker

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2017
Posts
3,136
Reaction score
3,329
Location
WI
Ram Year
2012 Reg Cab, 4x4
Engine
5.7 Hemi
..As Jeepwalker said above, those capped nuts are crap. Their caps will eventually come loose, turn on the nut and make it nearly impossible to remove.

Actually I said the opposite, but... LOL. :D

If the caps *don't* get 'stretched' too much they will last the life of yer truck (esp if you apply a daub of RTV at the cap seam). The caps can't fall off like the old Chev and Jeep caps of the 90's cause they're crimped on. Using an impact wrench on them is like banging a hammer on a fender and wondering why there are dents? LOL.

That said, good quality chrome L/N's are nice. And they're even shinier.

With either one, I would still ask shops to hand undo them (and re-tighten). But can you trust a tech to remember?? Stand nearby with a long-reach tazer, perhaps!
 

John Jensen

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2016
Posts
1,511
Reaction score
1,646
Location
San Diego County
Ram Year
2016
Engine
Ecodiesel
Jeepwalker,
Sorry for the misquote. Yep, they will last the life of your truck if not removed often and always hand removed and hand tightened.
However, I experienced the caps stretching when torqued and/or over-torqued. If one is going to spend the money on new nuts, I suggest they get solid nuts. Yep, you can't trust anyone but yourself, I think most dealer techs would not hand tighten.
 

blackbetty14

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Posts
2,694
Reaction score
1,410
Location
CT
Ram Year
2024
Engine
Hemi 5.7 VVT/Etorque
I got gorillas to replace my stockers when they get worn. However it’s been almost 6 years and I have my wheels off 2 times a year minimum to swap back and forth from winter to summer wheels. I use an impact to take off and a tq wrench to put them on.
 

indept

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2017
Posts
3,213
Reaction score
4,740
Location
South Jersey
Ram Year
2017
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
Chrysler updated the design like 20 years ago so the stainless steel cap is 'crimped' over a ridge on the lug nut. So they don't fall off. The key is to NOT use an impact wrench on them -- Ever, and the caps won't distort. They'll keep their shape & last and look great a forever (theoretically) if treated 'right'. I put a daub of RTV around the base of mine (at the crimp) to keep moisture out.

Just ask your tire/brake shop to remove/replace the tires with a hand wrench. I noticed quite a few shops around here do that now. Don't let some monkey with a 900# impact wrench murder your lug nuts....


.
If they can't take an impact they're not worth puting on your truck. That's like marketing a frying pan with a non stick coating. The coating will last forever as long as you don't cook anything in it. :deal: :eek:
 

JW2 Innovations

Senior Member
Preferred Vendor
Military
Joined
Sep 15, 2022
Posts
348
Reaction score
442
Location
Olive Branch, MS
Ram Year
2016 Ram 2500
Engine
6.7
CDJR all have these same junk lug nuts with caps. I always swap with solid ones. Here are the sets I've ordered.

When those caps come off, you lose 1mm in socket size. Doesn't sound like a big deal until you round off the semi rusted nut below on your chrome wheel. Hope you're in the driveway when it happens and you have the right socket to get it off! Been there too many times, now I immediately change each time I buy one of these types of lugs. And ensure I buy solid ones that match my lug wrench size included with the jack.

14mmx1.5 that use same size as oem lug wrench

Those with 1/2-20 needs
 

Badger 13

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2018
Posts
1,165
Reaction score
1,130
Location
North Idaho
Ram Year
2013 Dodge Ram 1500
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I didn't have any problems with mine, but changed them out to Mcgard's for piece of mind. Mcgard's are made in the US. I have had them on for about 5 years, and they still look like new. The Gorilla brand is nice, but not made in the US.
 

Jeepwalker

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2017
Posts
3,136
Reaction score
3,329
Location
WI
Ram Year
2012 Reg Cab, 4x4
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I like chrome lug nuts too. I have some on various cars. But I'm wondering how the caps come off for you? They're literally 'crimped' over a ridge around the steel lug nut. You're not thinking about the 90's GM/Jeep caps are you?? Those did fall off chronically. The "ridge" (Ram lut nut below) is where I apply RTV to prevent rusting beneath cap:

b6ff0594a12a798fe98ca7c04683c7e0.jpg

Like I say, if you don't let tech's "murder" them... :rolleyes:. But the nice thing about chrome is they're even shinier.
 
Last edited:

Burla

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Apr 28, 2012
Posts
23,108
Reaction score
44,443
Ram Year
2010 Hemi Reg Cab 4x4
Engine
Hemi
Don't use caps or you will collect that ghetto prize for playing that ghetto game, just a matter of time. Not a huge deal even if the cap comes off, but if it happens on the side of the road when you are changing a flat, be prepared. I have taken my gorrilas off many times and they have no rust, but I hear some guys in snow states have some rust? If so use anti sieze and/or hit the lugs with fluid film after they are installed, just shoot into the lugs holes and wipe the rim. Might have to wipe again after a couple trips. If you use anti sieze also torque them a second time just for giiggles after a week.
 

Burla

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Apr 28, 2012
Posts
23,108
Reaction score
44,443
Ram Year
2010 Hemi Reg Cab 4x4
Engine
Hemi
You can pull my impact wrench for lug nuts out of my cold dead hand. My dewy 20v impact is the best tool over for lugs and has paid for itself many times over, btw I only like about 1/2 the tools on this platform. but my impact is one of them. Don't use an impact on lugs, no thanks, just say'n.
 

alpinegreenneon

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2018
Posts
182
Reaction score
200
Location
South East Wisconsin
Ram Year
2018
Engine
3.6
I like chrome lug nuts too. I have some on various cars. But I'm wondering how the caps come off for you? They're literally 'crimped' over a ridge around the steel lug nut. You're not thinking about the 90's GM/Jeep caps are you?? Those did fall off chronically. The "ridge" (Ram lut nut below) is where I apply RTV to prevent rusting beneath cap:

View attachment 517163

Like I say, if you don't let tech's "murder" them... :rolleyes:. But the nice thing about chrome is they're even shinier.
My '95 and '98 Neons have the originals with caps in perfect condition. Same with my two 2016 Darts and 2018 Ram. I use grease on the crimps. I don't own an impact air tool and always use a torque wrench. No one else touches my lugs.
 
Last edited:
Top