From the term "To make the nut/ Making the nut", which comes from 19th century American history. When traveling shows came into to town, it wasn't unusual for them to run up bills and then skip out w/o settling their debts.
So to discourage this, whenever a traveling show came to town the first thing the sheffif did was remove one of the wheel nuts. It was only returned when the troupe, at the end of its stay, showed the sherrif proof that they had paid all their bills (hotel, food, etc.).
Hence the term "Making the nut". IOW, coming up with enough money to pay whats owned e.g. "Yeah, I think we made the nut with the rent this month" ("Yeah, I think we scrapped up enough money to pay the rent this month.")
Times and slang change.
Tha's a bad mo-bubble choo got there, dude. (Nice car)