Mason

New here.

I just purchased a 1991 Ford Ranger 5 speed about a month ago. I bought it from a private owner. 36,000 miles, new clutch, new starter, new plugs and wires, new bearings in the rear, new axle seals, new plugs and wires, new tires and aluminum rims, bedliner, toolbox, and a new paint job (candy apple red) last year that cost $1200.

The owners were retired and no longer needed the truck. They wanted to help out a teenager that didn't have a ride. $1600 out the door and it was mine.

Anywho, replaced the timing belt. Broke on me after about 3 days of driving. No other problems. There are a few things wrong with it: fuel guage, passenger side door lock won't open with the key, and the tachometer. I'll fix those later.

It has that one special lug nut on each of the rims that locks the wheel and keeps them from getting stolen. They are are pretty spiffy when I polish them up with some Mothers.

The owners had lost it and I'm paranoid about getting a flat out gallavanting with the girlfriend and such. I would rather find a way to get it off and replace it with a conventional lug nut so I won't have to worry about losing the key. In WV, we don't have much wheel jackin' goin' down. I did an eBay search and couldn't find anything.

Should I go to a Ford dealer? Are there any mechanic's "universal" tools that can take off keyed lug nuts? Is there a place where keys can be purchased?

Thanks in advance.

Johnny Mullet

Find a mechanic with a large stud extractor to get them off. Hell, I have even gotten lucky using a socket that is slighlty too small and beating it on with a hammer.

administrator

I have never failed with the socket and hammer.

a 12 point socket slightly smaller than the nut hammerd on will work. Ive probably taken off about 30 in my day.

A regular socket drops it down to 70% chance :)



A friends of mine had that happen as well and he isnt quite mechanically inclined so he went to a tire shop and they charged him 25 bucks for all 4.