US Mag wheels lug nut suggestions

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.

Chris64

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2024
Posts
75
Reaction score
104
Location
San Diego
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
So I just got my new wheels which are the US Mag
17x10's
You must be registered for see images attach

lug nut:
You must be registered for see images attach

I did a test fit with just the rim before taking them down to get tires (BFG AT 35x12.5x17) added and they fit very similar to what the truck had (Weld 16.5x9.5) Similar offset. A tiny bit wider (5mm) but they only offer 1 size so that made my decision a lot easier.

The problem I had is my lug nuts are old and gross, but also I can't get a socket in the hole to tighten them. Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe the locking style to protect my investment a little.

Something like these - or is this cheap stuff that I'll end up regretting?
You must be registered for see images attach
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,550
Reaction score
28,621
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
So I just got my new wheels which are the US Mag
17x10's
You must be registered for see images attach

lug nut:
You must be registered for see images attach

I did a test fit with just the rim before taking them down to get tires (BFG AT 35x12.5x17) added and they fit very similar to what the truck had (Weld 16.5x9.5) Similar offset. A tiny bit wider (5mm) but they only offer 1 size so that made my decision a lot easier.

The problem I had is my lug nuts are old and gross, but also I can't get a socket in the hole to tighten them. Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe the locking style to protect my investment a little.

Something like these - or is this cheap stuff that I'll end up regretting?
You must be registered for see images attach

I've personally used those splined (actually not locking, the spline socket fits all the other larger lugnuts by that brand and others) lugnuts from Gorilla and they are a damn good set of nuts. I've had one set in use for 15 years and they still are fairly decent looking.

They are also strong enough to fix screwed up threads on a stud, lol.
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
7,053
Reaction score
12,374
Location
Auburn, Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
Do you have enough thread engagement or do you need extended shank lugs as well. Check that out first. Ideally you want a min of the bolt diameter in threads. About 20 threads.
Had to get the ext lugs for alloy wheelson my C10 and the old aluminum wheels on the K20 had marginal thread engagement. I ran em for a year though since 8 lugs and not hauling heavy loads. Not a permanent solution though.
 

TotalyHucked

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2020
Posts
3,749
Reaction score
12,130
Location
Auburn, Georgia
First Name
Zach
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Sierra 1500
Engine Size
5.3
^Good note there, forgot I had to do the same thing with my TT's. My US Mags didn't need them but certainly something to check
 

Chris64

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2024
Posts
75
Reaction score
104
Location
San Diego
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Do you have enough thread engagement or do you need extended shank lugs as well. Check that out first. Ideally you want a min of the bolt diameter in threads. About 20 threads.
Had to get the ext lugs for alloy wheelson my C10 and the old aluminum wheels on the K20 had marginal thread engagement. I ran em for a year though since 8 lugs and not hauling heavy loads. Not a permanent solution though.
Yeah, they stick way out past the new wheels but that's a good point. They're thick in the middle but have a really deep recess. That's sorta the problem. The lugs I have now which are pretty deep almost go completely into the wheel so much that I couldn't tighten them if I wanted to.

And I need them fast so now I'm resorting to Amazon.

What do you think? Too cheap? :D
You must be registered for see images attach
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
7,053
Reaction score
12,374
Location
Auburn, Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
Honestly they’re fine, IMO. They’re steel and they will hold the wheels on.
If you don’t want spline drive, they make extra long hex lugs as well. Also about $1/ea for a set on Scamazon.
I’ve used a few cheap lug nut sets from Amazon. One on the C10. Both were/are fine.
Not saying the chrome plating on them may be the best quality but who cares. If they rust in a couple years they were only $30
 

Snoots

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Posts
8,831
Reaction score
18,504
Location
Georgia
First Name
Roger
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
Jimmy Sierra
Engine Size
350 w/203
Correct me if I'm wrong (won't be the first or last time) but didn't the correct lug nuts for that rim have about a 3/8" shoulder?
 

Chris64

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2024
Posts
75
Reaction score
104
Location
San Diego
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Correct me if I'm wrong (won't be the first or last time) but didn't the correct lug nuts for that rim have about a 3/8" shoulder?
It says conical seat - 60 degrees. I recall the original mags these are styled after had a unique lug nut requirement.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,550
Reaction score
28,621
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Honestly they’re fine, IMO. They’re steel and they will hold the wheels on.
If you don’t want spline drive, they make extra long hex lugs as well. Also about $1/ea for a set on Scamazon.
I’ve used a few cheap lug nut sets from Amazon. One on the C10. Both were/are fine.
Not saying the chrome plating on them may be the best quality but who cares. If they rust in a couple years they were only $30

Generally this is very true.

But, lol. I once got a wheel and tire package from NTW and it included a free set of lugnuts. They were of the tall hex variety, which was nice. But that gall durn plating on them literally came off within a month. It was ridiculous. They got ugly super quick. I still use them though, lol.
 

JD Miller

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2024
Posts
303
Reaction score
540
Location
Goober Idaho
First Name
JD
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
K20 silverado
Engine Size
350
get short lugs nuts so its easier to wash and keep the rims clean

What $$ did you pay for the rims? IIRC they are pretty pricey from summit

Those rims will look Good :waytogo:
 

Chris64

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2024
Posts
75
Reaction score
104
Location
San Diego
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
get short lugs nuts so its easier to wash and keep the rims clean

What $$ did you pay for the rims? IIRC they are pretty pricey from summit

Those rims will look Good :waytogo:
The price I found was the same everywhere - $333 each. Summit had free shipping which was about as good as it gets. They arrived super fast (ordered on Saturday, arrived on Monday). Discount Tire (same price) couldn't get this size for some reason. I got the tires at Costco which is free installation. I'm happy but my wife isn't :evillol:. She can't comprehend how tires can be so much...and what was wrong with the old 16.5 wheels!?!?

It's killing me that I've had to work late every day this week and I haven't put them on yet...tomorrow is the day.

And what the heck am I going to do with the old wheels? I'm having a hard time with the idea of turning them in for scrap aluminum.
 

JD Miller

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2024
Posts
303
Reaction score
540
Location
Goober Idaho
First Name
JD
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
K20 silverado
Engine Size
350
Post a pic when you get your rims installed

Some dude bought my old 16.5 aluminum rims . Im guessing he didnt know you cant buy tires for them anymore

I got about the last set of #058, 10" wide, Eagle Alloys that summit had in stock, years back

You must be registered for see images attach
 
Last edited:

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
7,053
Reaction score
12,374
Location
Auburn, Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
I’m more intrigued with how you got tires from Costco that weren’t original size for original size rims.
Fck that place. I never could get them to sell me tires that weren’t in their database as original size.
Hell, had to argue with one of those dipshits to buy batteries recently. Was insistent that I give him the make model etc and then kept telling me I had the wrong battery size. Even after I assured him I knew what I was doing and that he wasn’t going to find a proper “size” for my boat.
 
Last edited:

sublimeobs

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2023
Posts
14
Reaction score
21
Location
NELA
First Name
Pigpen
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
355
If you haven't pulled the trigger and are considering options, I bought extended tip spline drive lug nuts from these guys and was happy with the them --> LugNutGuys
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,346
Posts
954,888
Members
36,584
Latest member
brunoD
Top