Hmm, that's right, I did say I'd do that. With high sight, had I known the standard stem would look so crude, I would have made the effort to get a chrome/polished valve stem, so that it would match the shorty. Oh well. Next time. Here you go...

Standard Stem, seen through the spokes:



Shorty Stem, seen through the spokes:



Standard Stem, seen close-up:



Shorty Stem, seen close-up:

 

Interesting solution. Curious how close they'll come to your stoppers.

 

You and me both. Well, probably me more than you.

On topic to lug nuts... I'm considering holding off for a while, and just picking up a set of McGard lock nuts at the auto store, using the nuts that I bought with the rims. Not forever, but for a few months at least, into Summer. I almost never dive into mods, and like the perspective that comes with research and long consideration. Aluminium nuts have a whole host of issues, not the least of which is the expense for a good quality set. Plus, I prefer to budget mods, and this gives me something to budget for. That might seem silly, but it doesn't to me. If I were going to spend $150 or more in March, I'd prefer to spend it getting my RHFC's installed.

Or I may just buy them next week. IDK. Rambling...

 

ZOSTER mention Project Kics. They're R40 lug nuts are a two-piece design (3-piece, if you include the caps.) Very, very expensive, too. Well over $300, like the VOLK Racing lug nuts:

 

Referring to the longer 42mm Rays with the knurled at the end of it. I had black and I wouldn't even think black would fade but it did. I lived in the south / Texas to be exact. I pretty much had them for less than a year when I found out they were not worth it. I only mounted them by hand, and very carefully at that and I've never had anyone nor myself used an impact gun.

I never noticed how they place the valve stems inside the barrel. Does it make checking your tire pressure/adding air a pita?

 

I did mention Project Kics but mine are the shorter R26's in neochrome. I put my Work lugs on hold since I think the Kics Heptagon Caliber 24 in the titanium blue would be a much better match to my blue calipers!

 

[QUOTE=Rochester;3742761]ZOSTER mention Project Kics. They're R40 lug nuts are a two-piece design (3-piece, if you include the caps.) Very, very expensive, too. Well over $300, like the VOLK Racing lug nuts:

http://www.nengun.com/kics/racing-co...0-revo-neochro

kics r40 revo neochrome under $200, best lugs IMO, they also come in a gunmetal/black chrome color if you dont want the bling of neochrome

 

That's a good retail link, Presto. Thank you. They're selling the basic chrome Kics R40 w/black caps for $172. That's better than the $185 I was looking at for the RAYS, and the RAYS are only a single-piece of forged aluminum. These are 44mm in length, which I think would work well considering how deep the VOSSEN lug nut sockets are.

As to that, the way the CVT's are cut, a standard 35mm lug nut comes to the edge of the inner side of the lug nut hole, whereas there's another centimeter at least to the outer edge. In other words, an extended lug nut (42mm like the RAYS, or 44mm like these KICS) wouldn't be as obtrusive as it would be on a rims that was more flush in the center.

Hmm, and here's a link on how to tell real KICS from fake ones.

 

I'm struggling with the idea of spending so much money on lug nuts, as well as not entirely comfortable with the idea of lug nuts extending too far out from the rims... the design of the VOSSEN CVT notwithstanding. So now I'm dialing back all these plans, and actually considering McGard Spline-drive nuts. They're a two-piece design, like the Project KICS r40 and the VOLK Racing... where there's a steel shaft with a floating aluminum base. The McGards are reasonably priced at $75 for a full kit of 16+4, and the closed end cap is clean, without any manufacturer logo.

McGards seem to be universally approved of, and I wouldn't have to worry about stripping soft aluminum threads, or chipping the anodized surface. Hmm.

 

Rochester I run those mcguard lugs/locks but in gloss black. They work for me bc they look clean and simple and finish holds up great. I'd only really worry about the lugs sticking out in the rear.

 

Not bad at all, I've had Mcguard back when I had my CJ5 and they held up well through a lot of grimy conditions, they've been around for years. I love these personal quandaries you're going through John, it makes it easier to justify mine

 

It is kind of funny, sifting through all these choices. Feels like I wandered out there in the fringe, enticed by all things shiny, colorful and expensive. Came back and sat down for a while, then ventured out again with a more informed, clearer minded intent.

An-n-n-n-n-nd, I just ordered the McGards. Boobies

 

One more thing to check off the list J, and it gave a lot of good options for those in the same boat.

 

I am a bit late on this but I have the same lugs and locks and I am very happy with them so far. I had them on my wheels for about a year and half and no problems what so ever. Only thing is that I paid over 100$ and back then I didnt see that amazon had both the lock and lug set as a kit. Regardless def worth the buy and I think you made a good purchase. On a side note my wheels also came with cheap chrome lugs and they stripped as soon as I bolted the wheels on for the first time which I thought was funny .

 

quick ps