Hey guys, I just had the lovely pleasure of dropping down my spare tire to facilitate a brake line issue. What a real PIA. What was Fords engineers smoking when they designed that quagmire? I know brand X has a cool crank down system. I think my spare will live in the bed until I can come up with a better design to replace the current hokey setup. Any suggestions would definately be welcome. Thanks.

 

When "brand X" crank mechanism has rusted into one solid, immovable mass, when you need it the most, you will appreciate Fords simple system.

 

Well there is a whole lot of them out there and I have never had an issue with one being too rusted or corroded to operate correctly. I will take my chances. Thanks for the input...

 

I hate the spare location too, I have cut the whole mess off every truck I own and either throw the spare in the bed or fab an in-bed mount for it. The spare just gets too dirty under the truck and of course the time you will need it is when the weather is the worst and you're not dressed for it.

 

But for those of us who use every square inch of truck bed, that's not feasible, either. If I ever get myself a brush guard, it's going to double as a tire rack.

 

I mounted my spare in the bed on a pre-runner style carrier. A 35" tire would not fit in the stock location anyway

 

I never understood mounting the spare tire on the front of the truck. It seems to me that it will block too much air for the radiator etc.

Although I think it could have been desinged better, I really don't mind the spare tire carrier. I think its ok.

 

My truck's missing the carrier, so I'll either have to find one, or make something of my own. They're both possibilities. And, yes, I've got the same concern about front-mounting the tire. It either blocks the lights or the grille.

 

Have you guys ever seen the spare tire carrier that slides into your class 3 hitch? I have one I bought at JCW. Hidden Hitch makes it.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...&storeId=10101

 

You can put a Superduty spare tire hanger under your truck. It is similar to the brand x but it is so much better cuz it it FORD