stupid newbie
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 67
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From: vancouver
stupid newbie
Ok I'm back with another dumb question. Thanks to everyone here at FTE for making me feel welcome and able to post these stupid questions. (plus it makes going to the office so much better) I have just bought a 99 ranger 4l V6 4x4 I was cleaning her up yesterday and noticed a small key hole/lock located right under the tailgate above the bumper. Not any easy thing to get at though. I've heard that the tail gates don't lock so I was wondering what this whould be for.
Thanks
Thanks
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Mobile, AL
You need a key to drop down your spare tire. IMO, that is a secure way to prevent getting the tire stolen. :-) Key is very long and after removing the lock, you can just "crank down" the tire. HTH
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 681
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From: Springfield, IL USA
Pat G is correct. The tire cranks down with the jack handle after the lock is unlocked and removed. Key blanks are available from any Ford dealer (usually about $4.00) and any locksmith can cut the key blank to fit if you can get the number off of the lock housing.
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: vancouver
ohhhhh that makes a lot of sense I don't know why I didn't think of the spare tire. I'm assuming by your discriptions that it is a totaly different key then the ignition key. I'll pop into a dealer and then get one cut. Thanks that makes great sense.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Mobile, AL
Originally Posted by Rocky J
Is that a key in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2003
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You may already have the key. Check the glove box for the zippered binder that contains the owners manual. Most of the time, the key will be in that binder.
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A new spare tire lock costs around ten bucks, they only come with one key, and the parts guy told me that they can't make a new one, it is drill the lock and replace it. Of course this was the parts guy and he may have wanted to sell another lock. The key I have is taped under the plastic cover in the area behind the seats that contains the jack and the handle that cranks down the spare. If you can't get a key, you will probably have to drill the lock out, a real pain I have heard. So the idea is don't lose that key!
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