When you look at any Jeep modification guide, talk with friends, or ask people in your local Jeep club, you’ll quickly realize that wheels tend to be pretty high on the changeover list either when a new vehicle is acquired, or, well, when it is just time to do something different.
And when those new wheels are ready to go on the Jeep, many also look to change out the lug nuts as well.
But then they notice there are different styles. Acorn or spline.
Aren’t all lug nuts created the same? Why are there multiple types of lug nuts?
For those just getting into the modification game, lug nuts are necessary to secure the wheel to the wheel studs on the hub. For Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators, there are really only two types to consider, acorn style and spline style. Each can be used on the wheel studs assuming you have the correct bolt size and thread pitch for that stud.
Acorn lug nuts are the most common type. The nut has a cylindrical shape with a traditional hexagonal head that is installed and removed using a common socket or lug wrench. The base of the nut that seats and comes in contact with the wheel is generally a tapered or conical shape that has an appearance of an acorn, thus the name. Because of how common and simple these are, they are inexpensive, easy to source and replace.
Although spline lug nuts have a similar appearance to acorn lugs, they actually have unique splines that run from the top of the nut to the base. These splines require a specific spline drive socket. The advantage to this specific socket is that it allows for more contact with the lug nut.
These splines also create a significant improvement to the surface area which allows the drive to come in contact with more of the body and offer a more uniform amount of pressure on the walls of the lug nut. This allows for more flush lug contact with the wheel surface, providing more secure torque when seated and making the lug less likely to loosen from vibration.
Additionally, spline lug nuts do require a specific drive socket which does help with security. But, it doesn’t completely eliminate the possibility of theft as a spline drive socket is easy to locate at any parts store. However, the use of a keyed security lug nut with either acorn or spline lugs will definitely reduce the chance of theft.
For complete wheel bolt information along with specific stud sizes and thread pitches, check out our information about wheel bolt patterns.
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