I have a 1989 F150. How do I get the spare tire off? I don't have an owners manual and my Haynes manual doesn't cover something so simple!

 

a torch would help, but too close to the gas tank.

you need to go to the end of the holder and unbolt it.

good luck!

 

On the passanger side/rear of the truck right infront of the bumper is a long threaded rod with a loop at the end. The threaded rod with the loop should be sticking out of the brace that holds the tire up. Take the end of your lug wrench or if you don't have one, a BIG screwdriver and turn it counter-clockwise (as if you are laying directly under the loop). It may be frozen/rusted in place so you may need to put some penatrant on it to get it loose. You will need to turn it atleast until the tire has moved down 1 1/2" - 2". Be careful not to be under the tire as it is heavy and you can be in for a nasty surprise if it falls onto you. Once you have lowered the tire till there is atleast 1 1/2" - 2" of clearance from the bottom of the fuel tank, take the loop end of the threaded rod and push it through the hole in the tire brace as you push the brace up. This is because there is a lip on the edge of the hole where the threaded rod goes through. *MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A HOLD OF THE BRACE AS THE WHEEL IS HEAVY!* The loop end of the rod has to be turned a specific way before it will fit out the hole in the brace. Once you have let down the brace/tire, there will be a plastic retainer in the center of the wheel. Turn this counter-clockwise to loosen it and take it completely off remembering how it came off. Then just lift the wheel off of the brace being careful of the thread rod sticking through the center of the wheel. To get it back up just reverse the process. I apologize if I have missed anything.

*P.S.- It's a good idea to put some anti-seize on both threaded rods for future use.

Most people just take the spare out and throw it in the bed of the truck and leave the hanger on the truck....which is a bad idea cause it can come off or loose. If you want to just leave the spare in the bed make sure to take off the brace. People usually put the spare in the bed because they don't want to crawl around in the rain/snow because we all know we usually need the spare at the most inconveinent times. Also, if you put the spare in the bed be careful because sudden stops or fast acceleration can send the tire sailing into the front of the bed or the tailgate causing damage if the spare is not tied down. Hope this helps you out. Good luck.

Sam

 

i have to open my cap and drop the tailgate to get mine out. other models may be different. if yours is under the truck the some curse words and pb blaster may ber required to get it out.

 

have fun. If you've never had it off before it's gonna be a real pain!


Jim

 

I had to get the saw-zaw out on my 1991 f250 to take the spare tire off!

 

this was not one of ford's better ideas.

you will use a lot of swear words that is for sure.

 

definitely alot of swear words. The first time I removed mine was in the middle of a snow storm on the side of the road.



Jim

 

With all 4 of my trucks that I have had, the spare was permanently removed from underneath within a week of taking posession. In each case the rust was so bad that the hinges and bolt threads were completely disintegrated and seized, and If I could get a wrench on them the bolts broke. Making a spare carrier for inside the bed is a pretty easy affair, thankfully, and as a result I never have to attempt to wrestle a dirt encrusted spare from under my truck.

 

national parts depot sell a kit to mount it inside your bed.

i have a topper and mine is tied down inside.

same with that jack in the engine compartment, i put it in a small box with a selection of emergency tools.

just picked up a 94 explorer and the spare was not under the truck and i was glad i did not have to fight with it. going to the junkyard to get one will be much easier.

 

no........its not, and believe my, i would slap the ***** out of the guy that invented that, not conveniet at all my friend, i think im talking for everyone here when i say that.............

 

Like Justin460, I had to saws-all mine off too. I'm definitely keeping the tire inside the bed from now on. I'll bolt it underneath with my new tire rig (bagged and protected until use) for the times I need the full bed (rare).

 

Does someone make a kit with a better design to convert to? You know .... like the one's the Chevy guys have!

 

you might be able to get one off a chevy at the junk yard, plenty of chevys at those places, and incorporate it onto your ford somehow, it can be done.

 

you might be able to get one off a chevy at the junk yard, plenty of chevys at those places, and incorporate it onto your ford somehow, it can be done.