Removing Spare Tire

[Senatordan]

This may be a stupid question, but I have never had to remove my spare. I actually never had a tire now I just got a rim and tire. I tried to put the end in the crank to lower the tire mount under the bed to no avail. Is there a truck to getting the stupid thing to come down???

[Tom]

This may be a stupid question, but I have never had to remove my spare. I actually never had a tire now I just got a rim and tire. I tried to put the end in the crank to lower the tire mount under the bed to no avail. Is there a truck to getting the stupid thing to come down???

It may be a bird's nest of cable. It should come down, but you're probably going to need to put some weight on the end to allow it to come out smoothly.

[Senatordan]

Yeah I had my bro hanging on it, it is down about 6-8 inches. It doesn't seem to feel like it engaging any type of head or bolt etc...

[Tom]

Yeah I had my bro hanging on it, it is down about 6-8 inches. It doesn't seem to feel like it engaging any type of head or bolt etc...

Are you using the adapter (Key) that goes on the end of the jack handle?
It clips on the end of the jack handle and looks (something) like this:



The pattern on the end is similar, but looks more like a long 9/16" deep socket with a wire clip. I can't find a better picture.

[Senatordan]

What?! Never saw that, but that sure makes a lot of sense,:o I guess this weekend the spare will be in my bed rather then under it until I can find one of those.

[Tom]

What?! Never saw that, but that sure makes a lot of sense,:o I guess this weekend the spare will be in my bed rather then under it until I can find one of those.

There are a few different combinations.


Read this thread:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/32...tire-lock.html

[sonnyy13n]

1. go to ford dealer. 2. have him find the lock number woth the set of master keys he is supposed to have. 3. call mcgard lock co. in orchard park, ny. 4 give them number you got from ford dealer. 4. give them credit card number. 5. they will send you key in about 2 days for about $33.00 including shipping.

[Samuel1941]

Or, do what I did:

If there is no spare there now to get in the way, unbolt the spare tire cable winch and take it out of the truck. Two (or three) bolts as I recall.

The key thingie on the winch is just pressed into the handle slot.

Pull the key thingie out...note: it's in there pretty tight. You may want to use a vise and then chisel and hammer to knock it out.

Put the winch back into the truck and now you can winch the spare tire up and down without using a special key...just the end of the winch handle.

That "special" key is a joke and a pain in the rear end to use...if you're concerned about someone stealing your spare, use a chain and lock to secure it to the frame!

[sonnyy13n]

Well, I had the spare tire in there, locked up and tight. When i looked up there, there was nothing to be seen except the tire, which was well and truly in the way. So, what I did was called McGard and got a new key in about 2 days for about $33.00. Called on Monday and got the key which fit perfectly, on Wednesday. Truly good customer service. My friend also just bought a 2004 SD and no key was found for the spare anywhere in the truck. Not only that, but he didn't even know he was supposed to have a key for it. Went to Kieffe and Sons Ford in Mojave and they supplied him with the master key number. He called McGard and they shipped him the key within 2 days, just in time for him to leave on vacation. Hmmm, I wonder what he would have done with a flat tire and not even suspecting that he needed a key?

[Senatordan]

Samuel, Taking the winch down and removing the key was perfect. NO tire on at the time so it was fairly easy, If i were to buy the key, I am sure I would lose it anyway, so now as you said the standard tip of the jack acc. work perfectly. Now I put a padlock on that I have one key for about 10 locks, so good to go. Thanks for the help.

[Muley]

What year did Ford begin using this key? Mine is the old style, no key, just a bend at the end of the crank.