Well, my dumba$$ just bought a 2005 F150 STX that does not have the jack, tire tool and rod. I guess I should have looked first but I have never bought a used vehicle that didn't have those tools.

Anyway, I will try to find a kit for it. Is there anything special about them or will any spare tire tool kit work?

Also, would it be possible to make something from square bar stock or socket extension?

What size socket fits the lug nuts?

BTW, I have the lock cylinder that uses the ignitioin key so at least that is not a problem.

Problem solved, see below.

 

I think the simplest thing to do, would be to get everything you need from a wrecking yard. They must have dozens of them.

 

There are NONE around here. Every yard I spoke with said they can't keep them in stock.

1/2 square tubing is too large.

 

Well, I'm half way there.

I discovered that a piece of 7/16 " key stock will fit into the winch. I then attached a 1/2" drive 7/16" 12pt socket to the other end of the key stock. I had to knock it on with a hammer so I'll have to repalce the socket. The hardware store only had 12" long key stock. So, I had to use a few 1/2" drive long extensions. Plus a cheapy 1/2" drive rachet and we are good.

Anyway, It worked like a charm!

Now I'll have to go by Harbor Freight and get a bottle jack.

Lessons learned:

Longer bar stock (at least 24") would be nicer.

A 1/2" drive Craftsman socket will just barely clear the lock hole in the bumber. Some brands may be too large.

You never know when you will need those old tools that are collecting dust.

I already had the ratchet, socket and extensions, so the only out of pocket expense was $2.95 for the key stock and estamated $30 for a jack.

By the way, the socket size for the lug nut is 21mm ($10). I'm using an old cats paw tool for removing the center caps (already had).

So, I'm cool at under $45 and 3 hours of time.

 

I was in exactly the same situation and couldn't find the size or the shape of the fitting anywhere. 7/16" square male seems to be it! My hardware store was out of 7/16 keystock so here is what I did:

Harbor Freight....24" 3/8 extension (it does fit in the kit well, 2-12" would be nice too). Next I got a 1/2" wobble adapter, which has a 7/16" end. That would engage, but not fully, so I used an angle grinder to flatten the sides and voila....perfect fit. A cheap breaker bar, 21mm socket, and a bottle jack finish the kit. All told, it still runs about $50 bucks for the whole kit, but if you can use some stuff you have kicking around it should bring that down.

This seems to be a common problem and there is surprisingly little info out there about what is needed. Thanks for your post!

 

You're welcome.

You'd think these things would be all over the wrecking yards, but they are like hens teeth.

 

Thanks to Coondawg and Lwoodhams for the advice. I made a 1/2" wobble extension fit by grinding it exactly as Lwoodhams described. Worked perfectly attached to a 3/8" drive with a 1/2" adapter on the end. Thanks for the advice!!!

 

Locking tonneau cover, 2 ton jack and jack stands. I made my own too

 

• What you want is the tool for releasing the spare tire. It's winched up behind the bumper. For actually changing the tire, I favor a breaker bar and a torque wrench. Neither of these take much space behind the seat.

• 

Dorman 926-805 Spare Tire Tool Kit

by Dorman

• 

Click image to open expanded view

AmPro T20729 1/2" Drive Adjustable Breaker Bar by Ampro

• 

Craftsman 9-13919 25-250 ft lbs 1/2" Drive Digi-Click Torque Wrench

• What you don't want is the flimsy OEM scissor jack. I suspect that the reason a lot of used trucks are missing the jack, is because it was such a piece of garbage, that the last owner decided to leave it on the side of the road.
• These are the jacks I have been using for my F-150. You will decide what will work best for you. Budget is sometimes the key factor. You don't want to spend a ton of money on more than 1 jack, to carry around in your truck. But somewhere along the way, you have to realize that a bottle jack from Harbor Freight, without any jackstands, is not the safest of options on uneven terrain. Put yourself on a hill with even a slight grade, or on soft earth, maybe loose gravel sloping into drainage as is often found on the side of an Interstate.....

• 

Torin Big Red Hydraulic Trolley Floor Jack: SUV / Extended Height, 3 Ton Capacity

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by Alltrade

Alltrade 620471 Unijack Hydraulic Jack Stand, 3 Ton

 

your going to carry a 2-3 TON floor jack in the truck ?? Constantly ?

 

In my tool box, along with a tool set.

 

I like that Alltrade 620471 3 ton hydraulic jack-stand with the solid base ….. I see one in my future.

I have good plain stands in 3, and 6 ton versions, plenty of jacks too … but that combo unit looks safe and handy to have on hand on roadside.

 

Trucks are bigger, heavier, and higher off the ground. This is one of the better Jacks I have used. I have 4. One for each axle. It's almost as good as having a lift.

 

Let's not get "carried" away...

 

I almost bought an exhaust jack. Now that, would be getting carried away.