Spare tire key?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Visalia CA
Spare tire key?
Is there a way to get that spare down if you dont have the key that fits. Can I disassemble the lowering mechanism and remove the lock ? It looks like a star pattern.....
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
You might be able to reach in and pop the key out of the winch assembly if you can find the room (remove the plastic guide tube). Other than that, you'll probably end up cutting the cable to get the tire down.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 3
From: Broad Run, Va
did you check your glovebox for the key? mine was in a special plastic bag made for the spare tire key. or maybe its in your drivers manual zip pouch?
Just a thought. I am sure you have already looked there though.
Just a thought. I am sure you have already looked there though.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 957
Likes: 112
From: NC
I took the bumper down on my last truck, 2001 F250. Gave me plenty of access. The lock can be popped out fairly easy. Don't hammer on the lock or you wiil damage the inside where the jack handle goes. It's made of pot metal. Won't tell you how I found that out.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
The winch is held on by either 2 or 4 bolts that you will not be able to reach with the tire up. You have 4 choices that I can think of:
1. Try and reach up over the spare and pop the adapter off the winch (what you have to use the key for) which I hear is very difficult to do (if at all).
2. Cut the cable like clux said.
3. Try the bumber trick like machmedic said.
4. Go to a dealership and have them order you another key (based off of your VIN number).
I don't remember how much another key costs, but I know it's not cheap and has to be ordered. Depending on how much a new winch costs and how desperate you are, #3 and #2 seem like your best bets. You can try #1 to see if it works, but it was designed like this for a reason so it may not go too well for that route.
Once you get it resolved, I recommend that you pop the adapter off so that you never need to use the key again. My truck came with the adapter already removed (I bought it used) so I don't have to worry about that. Not too many spare tires stolen around here.
Good luck!
1. Try and reach up over the spare and pop the adapter off the winch (what you have to use the key for) which I hear is very difficult to do (if at all).
2. Cut the cable like clux said.
3. Try the bumber trick like machmedic said.
4. Go to a dealership and have them order you another key (based off of your VIN number).
I don't remember how much another key costs, but I know it's not cheap and has to be ordered. Depending on how much a new winch costs and how desperate you are, #3 and #2 seem like your best bets. You can try #1 to see if it works, but it was designed like this for a reason so it may not go too well for that route.
Once you get it resolved, I recommend that you pop the adapter off so that you never need to use the key again. My truck came with the adapter already removed (I bought it used) so I don't have to worry about that. Not too many spare tires stolen around here.
Good luck!
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Newport, WA
If you pop the adapter out and try to use the winch w/o the key just beware that if the end of the jack handle used to crank the winch up/down can (and will) slip and eventually the fitting in the winch will get worn out and you'll be hosed.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Carhenge
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
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From: Newport, WA
I did, but it may have been caused by the internals of the winch getting worn out and messing up the cable, causing the whole works to bind up and eventually destroy itself.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: San Diego, CA
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 546
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From: Rialto, Ca.
My spare was missing when I bought mine. I lowered it by removing the plastic tube and turning it with some vise grips. I then removed the winch assy and welded on a 5/8 nut on the assy. So now I carry an extension and a 5/8ths spark plug socket to lower the spare I bought for my truck.
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