Ok before getting to much into it my spare tire lock(that thing you need a special tool for) has been removed.

Now for the spare tire. I tried to lower it so I can take apart the trailer wiring connector to check it, But it seems where the tool to lower the spare goes in is stripped out. Now I know about Fords lock and removed that a couple years ago. I have had my spare down a few times since then to lube the winch and parts. I have always just put the tool down the hole and lowered it and raised it, with no problems. This time it just spins, I then removed that plastic tube, but just can't get around the spare. I also tried a 1/2 extention and it just spins.

Do I just cut the cable, then replace the whole thing? No one else has removed my spare but me, I am wondering if someone tried to steal my spare.

 

On trailer lights start with checking the fuses on the panel under the hood.
There is a parallel thread about the spare wheel winch with special tool. There is procedure when you can tap 14 mm or so socket over and use that to lower the wheel. I had that lock with no "key" on my new purchased F250 and PO cut the cable. The lock comes out with some persuasion as all it holds is spring-lock washer.

 

Thanks, Update lights now work it was a fuse under the hood. But still need help on the spare tire problem.

I checked the fuses under the steering wheel, but will check under hood.

As for the spare tire. I already removed that lock years ago. But it seems that the spot where that lock went into has stripped out. My tire tool just twists inside and won't lower the spare.

 

Sorry about

Do you happen to have the link about
spare wheel winch with special tool
That you mentioned?
Thanks
Sean

 

If it won't crank down, there's nothing else you can do but cut it and replace the winch. You might even be able to take it apart and repair it. Drill out the big rivets and it splits in two. I had mine apart when the cable birdnested inside it and wouldn't go up or down. Had I not beat the thing with a sledge out of frustration, I could've replaced the cable for a few bucks and bolted it back together instead of paying $95ish for a new one.

 

I'd bet if you tried it again, like a surgeon, gentle hands and careful attention, you'll get it to bite. It always takes a while to get the blind feel for that thing, fancy lock or not.

Otherwise, yes, just cut it out.

 

The socket on the winch accepts big flat end of the crank on my SD. I can't imagine how those can get stripped? Close inspection with flashlight might be in order. Maybe all you have is some dried mud in the hole?

 

I had a blow out in the middle of nowhere at about 3 in the morning only to find out my truck didn't come with the lock tool. I had to cut mine down with a pair of 6" cutting pliers. That wasn't fun at all. I just threw the spare in the bed after that.

 

Thanks for the suggestions, I am going to the junk yard tomorrow to look for another tire winch. This way I can get a good look at it, before I cut mine. I still can't see how mine stripped. I can't get my arm in their to feel where the tool goes into. Using a flashlight it looks like the end is all messed up. I know when I removed my lock everything was fine. Then last year I replaced my spare tire due to the age of the tire, and to match the size of the rest of the tires. Like I said I have not had a problem before and always cleaned and lubed it while I had the tire out.

 

If you have small digital camera, you might want to stick it between the bumper and spare wheel to take a picture. Take several pictures, at different angles some with flash, some without. I found that enlargement on the computer can show signs not visible to bare eye.

 

I had a good junk yard day. I found the tire winch off of a 2007 F-250. Sad thing this truck just came in saturday, it had the 5.4L. This truck was perfect except someone started to tear the motor down, got 1 head off then quit. The body was straight, everything their. But the tires & wheels, and the bed was being salvaged while I was getting the winch off. If I had the money and got to it this morning I would have bought the whole truck and put a motor into it. It is to bad they are parting out such a perfect looking truck.

I will replace my tire winch tonight or in the morning.

 

Here is what I found:
<a href="http://s1066.photobucket.com/albums/u420/IslandBlueV10/Autos/?action=view&amp;current=IM000534640x480.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u420/IslandBlueV10/Autos/IM000534640x480.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Just glad I found this now instead of being on the side of the road. This is as bad as finding out that I had that lock in there.

 

That's where mine broke when I wrenched on it too hard after the cable jammed. Are you gonna trash it or try to fix it?

 

I will just trash it. I bought one at the junk yard, and I wouldn't be able to fix it.

 

Mine was exactly the same when I got it. Someone had cut the cable as well. I bought a replacement off craigslist from a truck that had been converted for railway duty. After I got it home, I discovered that it was different than mine (from an 08 maybe?) and the mounting holes were different. Long story short, I ended up opening them both up and using the 01 case and the 08 internals. Works just fine now and accepts a standard 3/8 extension and ratchet for winching.