Spare Tire Key
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 164
Likes: 2
From: Cloverdale VA
Spare Tire Key
Question. Is the spare tire key VIN specific or generic? I haven't ever tried to use mine till today and discovered I don't have one. I was trying to install my gooseneck hitch and need to drop the spare. I'm hoping I can get one quickly.
2006 F250 KR
2006 F250 KR
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 322
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga
You know, I don't have my key either. I was going to lower my spare a few months ago to swap the tires on the rims, but i couldnt find the little key.
I am subscribing to this thread in case someone gives us some advice
I am subscribing to this thread in case someone gives us some advice
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,069
Likes: 1
From: LONG ISLAND N.Y.
i beleive there are 16 different keys. just last month i discovered i dont have a key. so i started to ask everyone with a superduty if i can try theirs. i got lucky with my bosses 09 f250. i lowered my tire then i grabbed the plastic alignment tube that the key goes through and removed it. i then pryed the key portion off of the tire lowering assembly.(screwdriver and pliers.no problem) and after thats gone your left with a hole that accepts the end of the jack tool. hope that helps.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
There are only a set number of different keys. The parts department will be able to match your VIN to which key it matches. Your VIN isn't linked to it's own unique key, but the VIN is linked to which key group fits your truck. I think it's about $30 or so to get the key. I don't know how easy it is to do with the tire up, but you can pop off the adapter for the spare tire winch so you don't need the key ever again. All you have to do is take the jack guide tube off (from the bumper hole to the winch), then pop off the adapter which has the keyed end on it and you're in business.
My truck doesn't have the adapter so I've never needed the key. The only reason it's there is to keep people from stealing it (I never knew fencing spare tires was such a booming business
).
My truck doesn't have the adapter so I've never needed the key. The only reason it's there is to keep people from stealing it (I never knew fencing spare tires was such a booming business
).
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 164
Likes: 2
From: Cloverdale VA
Update, I went to the only (ARRGGGHHHH) local dealer to me yesterday. The place is run by complete morons. I purposely didn't buy my truck from them because they are morons (long story not for this thread). Then my other local dealer closed it's doors 2 weeks after I purchased my truck from them.
Back on topic. The guy at the parts counter tells me there is no way to get a key for it and that the keys are no longer available. He then tells me I will have to cut the tube and then break the key mechanism out of the winch (his words). The good news according to him is that he can sell me the tube for $12 when I am done screwing the one I already have up. I am getting strong readings from the BS meter here. He went so far as to tell me Ford quit using them altogether and they were from an outside vendor so there is no way at all to get one. He also told me they were VIN specific and there was no interchange.
I understand I can get it off but I am not happy about the retard answers I get from the parts guys. Why are they always so useless?
Thanks for the replies about how they are really setup. I figured ya'll would know more than the dealer employees.
Back on topic. The guy at the parts counter tells me there is no way to get a key for it and that the keys are no longer available. He then tells me I will have to cut the tube and then break the key mechanism out of the winch (his words). The good news according to him is that he can sell me the tube for $12 when I am done screwing the one I already have up. I am getting strong readings from the BS meter here. He went so far as to tell me Ford quit using them altogether and they were from an outside vendor so there is no way at all to get one. He also told me they were VIN specific and there was no interchange.
I understand I can get it off but I am not happy about the retard answers I get from the parts guys. Why are they always so useless?
Thanks for the replies about how they are really setup. I figured ya'll would know more than the dealer employees.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,612
Likes: 2
From: Dunwoody, GA
They are probably among some of the lesser paid guys. You don't have to have a whole lot of brains to sit at a parts counter and pull parts from bins with a computer telling you which part # to pull. (No offense to anyone who works at a parts counter.) But in that type of job it's rare to find someone who actually cares about their job and even more so, cares about customer service. That's why I rarely ever buy from my local dealers. I always use Silver State Ford Parts out in Las Vegas (silverstatefordparts.com) as they always have the best price and have great customer service.
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,069
Likes: 1
From: LONG ISLAND N.Y.
like i said in my previous post i took my tire down with a borrowed key from my bosses 09 f250. you might want to ask anyone who has a fleet. i work for town (municipal)that i live in. we have roughly 20 superdutys. maybe you can lucky. i don't know but maybe if you can't lower your tire to gain access to the tube and key maybe you can let the air out of tire and break the bead...its worth a shot. better than hacking the cable or the mecanical mecanism. good luck.
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 322
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga
My dealer told me that the key was from McGard and that it is vin specific. I would have to contact McGard to get a new key. McGard is the same company that makes the special lug nuts and wheel locks for alot of cars.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,918
Likes: 178
From: Princeton, BC
You can get the key out without having to cut anything. I don't remember the particulars of how this member did it. You need to remove the hanger from the truck and then knock out the key. I did it with my last truck but I did not have a spare at the time.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,918
Likes: 178
From: Princeton, BC
Yea I know. I think some guys have taken out the tube and used vicegrips or something to drop the tire. I just don't remember how it was done.
Funny thing is both SD's I had had different problems. The first was no key. I had to knock the thing out on the hanger. Second one had the key but the thing was knocked out on the hanger.
Funny thing is both SD's I had had different problems. The first was no key. I had to knock the thing out on the hanger. Second one had the key but the thing was knocked out on the hanger.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
Here we go here's what you are dealing with;
As you can see in the first pic someone with small hands MIGHT be able to reach up through the wheel and work the plastic tube loose.
Then the lock key plug can be pried out of the winch mechanism.
Now you can use the jack rod to lower the wheel.
As you can see in the first pic someone with small hands MIGHT be able to reach up through the wheel and work the plastic tube loose.
Then the lock key plug can be pried out of the winch mechanism.
Now you can use the jack rod to lower the wheel.
