Sounds like that's what the dealer did to mine. The thing is, they never told me Oh well, at least I figured it out on my own

 

I am on my 3rd Superduty and all 3 have had to have a key to lower the spare. And of course i found out the hard way. When i found out on my 99 I called the dealer from the side of the road and they told me to just cut the winch cable and get the spare out and they would warranty it. 2nd time was in my own driveway and i called that roadside service since i was still under warranty and the goofy kid they sent out tried for a couple hours and couldnt get the spare out, when i got back home I went and looked in the glove box and i didnt have a key so again i cut the cable, and they warrantied it again..!!! When i got my 02 i went to pick it up the manager said they had already swapped out the winch with one that didnt require the key, he said those keys were a real issue and he knew i would have a flat eventually. I havent a clue what those winch assemblies cost though. I have heard from several other people that said they didnt get a key with their trucks or the key they had wouldnt fit.

 

After reading this thread I went out and checked my glovebox...no key. I then shined a flashlight down the tube to see if the key was stuck in there,no such luck. So while I was getting my free first oil change (bought truck used on september 29th) I went and cornered the salesman who sold me the truck. He grumbled something about talking to parts and maybe they could get me one for cost or something. A little persuasion and we were out on the used lot a few minutes later,he pulled one out of a used 02 and it fits fine. Thanks FTE now i have one less thing to worry about!

 

No offense to you. I would have taken the key too. However, thanks to your lazy salesperson, whoever buys that truck may get stuck with a flat and no access to the spare tire. It doesn't sound like he'll bother to get the parts department to replace it.

 

None taken sir. I felt the same way, it sucks but whats a guy to do?

 

I'm with you. Nothing we can do.
It just angers me that another Ford buyer ( like us ) will probably be shafted by a lazy salesperson.
It also angers me that it makes the honest salespeople ( and I've dealt with many ) look bad.
What the heck. I guess I'm just avoiding thinking about many more important problems in the World.

 

I know this is an old topic. But you guys helped a lot. We bought a 2000 F250 SuperDuty and just had a flat from running over a hay hook. I ended up using the trick of hammering a 9/16 onto the old one, lowering down the spare, then replacing the lock with a new one. The newer one though was larger around on the head side, it was closer to 17mm now. But the back side of the lock was the same size.

 

Whoops... replied to the wrong topic. Shoulda been this one. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s....php?p=2573845

 

I advertise these lock & key sets for sale on Craig's List. I have hundreds instock to fit 1999 - 2008 Ford Rangers & Mazda's. I have all 25 codes (F001 through F025) I sell them for $5. + $5.50 (Priority Shipping) You can contact me at: ValueDeals@aol.com or call at 336) 883-8337 I'm located in High Point, NC If you're close, you may pick these up in person and save the shipping cost. I accept Pay Pal, Money Order or Cash. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance. G. liverett

 

I have an 05 f350 that I bought used and took it to get the 5th wheel hitch installed and there was no key to get the spare down so what me and the guy installing it ended up doing is taking a long flat screwdriver and by going through the side wheel well, you can position the screwdriver at the base of the lock and with a few well placed hits the lock will fall off and after that you can just use the end of the rod to lower the tire as if the lock were already removed. This obviously is not a good option if you are somewhere where it might get stolen but where I live I don't worry much about that. The best part about this option is it is free.

 

Ok, so I purchased a 2000 F250 and upongetting it home I realize there's no spare tire jack,handles or key. After calling the previous owner(to no avail) I searched the web and found a youtube video that worked perfectly. Basically you take 2 12" socket wrench extensions and a 15mm extractor socket hammer the socket over the lock down inside the tube and lower your spare. Then you take out 2 bolts, remove the lift assy and pull the little lock mech off. reinstall and you're all set. I went to the local salvage yard and for $8 bought the 2 rods needed to lower the spare insteadof carrying my extension bars. Check out the video, very informative.