So I needed to do a stud conversion on the #0425. While I've owned very few cars (and all of them 3/4 and 1 ton trucks...well, ok, the 944 track toy, too) that had studs, I've accepted that with the GP, they're a must. Between trying to get a wheel on/off over those massive front calipers, and the mandatory requirement for shims to fit most wheels...

The other motivating factor was that the OO put 4 wheel locks on the car.... and even replacing those with stock bolts was going to be $25.... And they seriously had to go, I got tired of having to chase the one tool around. Unbolt the IA sub, remove tool, rebolt sub....unbolt sub, replace tool....

After reading a lot of threads....turns out there's not a lot of detail out there.


My goals:
- M12x1.5 studs for wheel and nut flexibility.
- tapered stud ends for easy nut install
- no special tools!
- be able to use the stock lug wrench when needed! (using an adaptor that I don't need to use when using real tools is fine)
- open end lug nuts when needed for the track (thread count visibility and all that)
- black closed end lug nuts for the street to cover the threads.


The first part was easy, though there's really only one option right now - Way. http://www.waymotorworks.com/m14-to-...rsion-kit.html ($97)

Turns out they meet #2, too. Couldn't tell from the pictures though!



For nuts, Way includes some black steel open nuts with his m12-m12 kit...but not the m14-m12 kit, and he doesnt list them seperately. They look to even have a 17mm head. The other options he has are "tuner" style Muteki's, which are a splined head and require special (though commonly available and of course included) tools.

So for quick and cheap, to make sure I had -something- I ordered a set of AccuWheel LNA-12150Z5O with 19mm heads ($15 for 20) -
Once I installed the nuts and studs on the stock GP2 wheels, I realized there's too much stud protruding for the stock lug wrench to fit, even if they had 17mm heads.



Next, the hunt for closed nuts...

Ended up with a set of Muteki SR35's ($76) -



I knew these were OK on length for my OZ Records on spacers, but from my measurements they were going to be a really close on the GP2 wheels. (either 1mm to long, or 1mm to short...) turns out they're too short. Alas, all of the 17mm head closed end lugs I could find were 34-35mm, which isn't enough. You could shave the tapered end of the studs, if you had to, I suppose...

Here's what happens if you actually try it:





So, the next major requirement: using the stock lug wrench! Finding a nut with a hex at the top, instead of the bottom, is possible if you go for the 48mm/2+ inch long "extended" nuts...but I didn't want to go that route. And they're all open top. The Muteki SR35 (and the classic chrome acorn nuts, too), have too much bulge at the top to fit into the stock lug wrench.

Turns out, after much searching, there's a solution!

Gorilla makes the 1734DS Lug Wrench Adapter ($7) - - Has a combo 17/19mm head on top, and a combo 17/19mm hole in the base - with an extended shaft between. Certainly not something you'd want to hit with an impact all day long, but for the occasional roadside emergency, it's a nice solution!

With this, it opens up both 17 and 19mm head options - it fit over the open 19mm nuts I had, as well as the SR35s. Even fit stock lug nuts, if you just need a bit of extra reach. And works just fine with that stock 17mm wrench in the boot.


If I end up putting the GP2 wheels back on in the future, I'll use the zinc 19mm nuts - or hunt for something else for the long term. But for now, the Records are staying on anyway.

 

mega bump but nice job!