I have found that custom hubcentric spacers don't cost a lot less than new wheels!

To throw another log on the fire, REGARDLESS of what NHRA says, a nut of the correct grade will develop the full strength of a bolt with TWO THREADS engaged.

That's straight out of the Machine Design textbook.

It's always nice to go beyond absolute minimum for anything, except for weight in a racecar. But let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater! In our quest for safety we usually go too far, while at the same time missing completely something of vital importance.

As in my imaginary construct of this case: Do we insist that the OP go through winter on tires that are legal for the road but not optimum for winter driving? Or do we allow him to reduce the factor of safety from 4 to 3 and use tires that will keep him safer?

I can picture it now, the car slides off the road BUT the lugs were never stressed more than 1/4 of yield strength! WINNER!

How ironic.

R.