Spare Tire Key
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,931
Likes: 3,653
To lower your spare tire without a key: First remove the plastic tube (guide) get a 6 point 9/16 socket and "gently massage" it on the lock with a extension and a hammer. Re install the guide. Now you have a new style lock in the form of a 3/8 drive socket. With 2 extentions it fits a ratchet and you can use an 18 volt drill to make it even easier.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,392
Likes: 1
From: Green Lane, Pa.
You have to go to a Ford dealer, they have a master kit that has at least 10 different patterns. You have to try each one to see if it lowers the carrier, when you find the right tool then you order that specific one.
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
Likes: 319
From: Whittier, CA
There are about a dozen or more different key patterns. Not all the same.
Correct. McGard makes them and will sell you one online. But they can't tell you which one you need. The Ford dealer had a master set, and we determined which code I needed. They didn't charge me for that. Then I bought it from McGard.
A lot of guys just modify it so no key is necessary, kind of like what bismic described above. You'll find a lot of threads on that in the Superduty forum. Personally I like having the key. Makes me feel better when I have to leave the truck in the airport parking lot.
A lot of guys just modify it so no key is necessary, kind of like what bismic described above. You'll find a lot of threads on that in the Superduty forum. Personally I like having the key. Makes me feel better when I have to leave the truck in the airport parking lot.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,931
Likes: 3,653
A lot of spare tires get stolen around where I live. Getting spare keys and/or using the "workarounds" that are popsted up on the internet is easy for the bad guys. If you have an expensive rim / tire, you should have another means for securing it (chain and lock). If you do this, then you can "rig up" the mechanism however is convenient for you. Just don't think the OEM keyed mechanism is all that safe ...........
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
Not sure what options you have or the actual vehicle, (reg or CC) but I searched everywhere for mine when I bought my 06 but figured it lost. Then as I was cleaning up the cab, I found it in the little pocket that is on the outside of the jack bar leather case that was behind the rear seat. I just thought I would throw that out there.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 514
Likes: 1
Not sure what options you have or the actual vehicle, (reg or CC) but I searched everywhere for mine when I bought my 06 but figured it lost. Then as I was cleaning up the cab, I found it in the little pocket that is on the outside of the jack bar leather case that was behind the rear seat. I just thought I would throw that out there.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
My '03 came with a spare tire key. The first time I tried to use it, it took me an hour of trying to get it to work before I just tried using the crank without the key.
What do you know! It worked. Mine wasn't set up to use a key. Why did I get one? Did you try using the crank without a key first? Just a thought.
(so I have a key if needed; I'll see if it has a number if anyone is intersted)
What do you know! It worked. Mine wasn't set up to use a key. Why did I get one? Did you try using the crank without a key first? Just a thought.
(so I have a key if needed; I'll see if it has a number if anyone is intersted)
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 971
Likes: 1
From: IA MN SD
IIRC, you can break the key receiver off of the spare tire crank by pounding a socket onto it and beating it back and forth till it snaps off. Then the plain end of the crank without a key works.
I did that on my previous 2003.
However, I have yet to do it to my 2006. Thanks for the reminder.
I did that on my previous 2003.
However, I have yet to do it to my 2006. Thanks for the reminder.