I just purchased this truck and I am taking the family to Disney this week. I was checking ther truck over and cant get the spare tire out. I can look inside the tube and it looks like a key lock inside the tube? Any sugguestions?

 

its like a miniature wheel lock , you should have a plastic pouch with a round key in the glovebox ,the key attaches to one of the rods, its actually a pain to line em up , took over an hour one day to drop the spare , i actually took the lock bit out from the tire winch with some visegrips ,now i can use the rod without the lock .

 

I just ran into this a couple of weeks ago. The spare tire lift has an adapter snapped into the hole were the crank handle would normally go in. It can be popped out and the you don't need the lock.

Here's a video I found that shows the parts.

Ford Pickup spare tire solution - YouTube

 

This is a good thread on the topic:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...rks-great.html

I followed that or a similar thread recently. I used a 9/16" socket on a few long 3/8" extensions on a socket wrench. The 9/16 can be wedged over the theft proof thing that is on there and then just press down to keep pressure on the 9/16 while loosening.

Once you get that safety socket off, just remove it and reinstall the parts w/o it.

 

But why remove the winch to get the keyed fitting off. If you have the tools to get he tire down without the key then just carry them in the truck. Although, I would carry the 15MM extractor socket instead of the 9/16ths.

Yeah, I know, this just goes to how lazy I am.

 

I wouldn't remove the lift either. Just added the video for a good visual of all parts involved. The lock can be pryed out with a flat screw stick. If your worried about your tire being taken then definately keep the right removal tools in the truck.

 

Wow.. Thanks guy.. I was just tiring to get my spare down also on Friday. The truck is an 02 and has the original spare. I am the 2nd owner. I was going to dig in to getting it down this week. What good is a spare if you cant get it down.
I never knew it used a theft lock key..
Thanks autoxtech for posting this post..

 

See. That's another good point. Leave the keyed fitting on the winch for at least some security.

This gives my lazy idea of not removing the winch a bit of merit.

 

1st time I tried to remove the spare the guide tube had dirt and road grime in it. So when the lock tool was pushed in it packed the dirt in the small grooves and made it useless. I was able to reach up and remove the tube and pop out the insert with a long flat driver and get the tire down. I left the lock out.

 

As another point of reference, I wound up removing the whole pulley/cable drop assembly thing through the hub of the spare tire. Just unbolt the 4 small 10 or 12mm bolts and slide it through. Then you can pop off the lock thing using a screw driver as mentioned. Then bolt it back up and you're golden.

 

Wow.. why even put a lock on it.. I took AMG's advise. took a 3/8 drive = 9/16 6 point socket on a long extension. I turned it slowly with my hand as i took a hammer and gave it a good hit. it locked on then i lowered the tire, removed it and took a long screw driver, hooked it on the socket that was still on the lock through the frame and with little effort it popped off..

I did the whole thing in about 5 minutes..

 

Thanks for all the responses, i did get the lock off, thanks for all the info. This forumn is the best, when ever i have had a question there is somebody on here with a solution, Thanks

 

Use the end of the extension for the tire iron that came with your truck. that extension fits right down the tube. Almost like it was made for it.

 

Now that's funny stuff.