i have a 66 F250 long bed. i am looking to hide the spare tire under the bed but as far as i can tell, this option only existed up to 1964. did later year fords (like the 1970s) also have this option? if so, i might be able to find the hardware at my local junkyard. has anyone been down this road before? any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

My 66 F-250 has the under bed carrier. I bought the truck from the original owner with 43,000 on it. I believe it came that way new.

 

My '66 CS came with the spare mounted on the optional grill guard so it had no frame-mounted cradle. However, the holes were in the frame so I got junkyard parts to put the spare underneath. The '66 and earlier cradle differs in construction and appearance from the later ones (if you care) but fits fine. Remember, you have a 34" frame.
Eric

 

Many, ", years ago, seem to recall touring a salvage yard and checked all the mid 70's Ford trucks until I came across a set(rack with front and rear retainer). Salvaged a set for the short flareside bed, and another for the 65 with the LWB, found there's a difference in length of several inches. Suggest measure before salvage shopping. Also, check underside for a pre-installed rear threaded retainer, it would be mounted on the frame near the rear tire, threaded and several inches long?

Not sure I can help; have not gotten around to installing the LWB tire rack since it will require re-routing the exhaust system; consequently I have not checked for fit? The tire rack measures approx. 45".

Looking forward to other member's input!

 

If you don't care about original but want better function...

...I was looking underneath my 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 and it has the winch to lift the spare tire up into place for you. The frame is wider but the carriage could be cut down without too much work...need to do some more measuring, but it looks like it would be possible. Would be a good mod if you have back or knee problems.

Just a thought.

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Yeah, TA that is a great idea. I got the whole mechanism - and lost the winch part somehow - but I still have the mechanical "bottle" jack (goes to about 14"), folding handle and wrench. I'm going to an in-box mount with the shorty.
Incidentally the reason my '66 had a grill-guard mounted spare is that if the flat occurred in the Yukon mud the under-frame spare would be buried.
Eric

 

I have 750-16's on my truck. With the under side rack in the down position and the tire rolled on to the rack, it is a mother to get up and hold with 1 arm while you guide the threaded rod/nut into the key slot, laying on your back. I'm not forty anymore. The winch/cable really sounds good. Did Ford use them in later years, I know GM did for many.

 

How often does one need to change the tire on the fly, over past 50 plus years I can count them on one finger.

 

great input guys. thanks! the dodge or GM winch option sounds like a good direction.

 

Ya, but which finger did you use when you had to change it...? LOL

The bolts can rust in place over the years and make it a real pain to remove, too. I'm really thinking about doing it on the truck I use more like a daily driver.

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Yes, Ford used them as well. I have that on my 1999 Expedition and 2004 F150.

 

.[/QUOTE]
The bolts can rust in place over the years and make it a real pain to remove, too. I'm really thinking about doing it on the truck I use more like a daily driver.

I really use never-seize on almost anything I may have to take apart. My tire carrier is up with !/2" threaded rod and there is a hi-nut that I ground a bevel on for the key slot and all ends and the nut are never-seized.

 

I have a spare tire carrier I just picked up. It was on a 66 f250 long bed.
P.M. me if interested.

 

Great use for the anti-seize type products. Most of the problems I've had was trying to get the spare off a truck that's new to me - for the first time. Once they are off I haven't had too much of an issue but I'm using Permatex anti-seize on lots of stuff these days. New Bilstein shocks going on the Dodge and it goes on all bolts/nuts that hold them on, too.

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I ended up having a local hot rod shop rig me up a nice cable system from a Super Duty late model Ford. My bad back keeps me from crawling around too much under the old truck these days It needed the bigger flange at the base of the cable to support the large 8 lug hub opening. They fabricated a support piece between the frame rails to mount the pulley system. The spare fits perfectly between the dual pipes. You simply use a 1/2 drive wrench just behind the right rear bed sidewall to drop or lift the cable down with hardly any effort. Pretty slick. Cost a few bucks but worth it to be able to carry a spare and actually get it down from under the truck if needed. No, I don't think I will need it much if at all - just peace of mind if I do. I might try to get a few pictures to post some day.