Hello all, I apologize up front if this is the wrong forum for this. Last week I bought an 08 F450 and yesterday ran into a little problem. First of all, I have called the dealer where I bought it and they are working on helping me out, but wanted to ask the question anyway. I was attempting to lower the spare tire and went to the glove box to get the spare tire "key" to put on the rod for lowering. To my surprise.....no key in there. I know, I should have checked that before I drove off. I did catch the missing bottle jack and got that installed because I have had that issue before, but neglected to check for the spare tire key. Anyway, I am hoping the dealer will come up with one. My question is, does anyone know how may different "keys" Ford makes for this? Are they controlled/coded by VIN? Just curious more than anything else I guess, I think I will eventually get the one I need. Another question, is there another easy way to get the spare tire down without the key?

-Glenn

 

There is a way to cut the plastic cover on the shaft that turns the pulley. I think that normally guys wind up removing the bed. Ouch...

Try doing a search in the SD forum too.

If you can cut away the cover to the shaft you might be able to turn the shaft with a vice grip or something.

 

After searching some threads I found a much easier way to get the tire down without causing any damage or having to replace anything. If you take a 6 point 9/16 socket (I used a deep well, but not necessary) and about 15" of extensions and slide it down until you come in contact with the lock and then hit the extension a couple good wraps with a sledge it "seats" over the locking mechanism. One of the post said to then hook up a 18V cordless drill, but I just used a half inch ratchet and ratcheted it down. This worked slicker than you would believe. Once I got the spare out of the way, I pulled the black plastic tube off of the locking mechanism. The 9/16 socket was still locked on there and while I was attempting to get the socket back, the lock came right off. All that is left there now is the oblong hole that most vehicles have to get the spare down. The jack handle fits right in without a key now and works like a charm. I cranked the spare back up and was quite happy that I did not have to spend a dime to make it operational again.

 

Thanks, good info!

 

I saw the post Glenn Jenne referenced. It had some good ideas on how to get the spare down. However, on further reflection, maybe we just gave the thieves out there the info they need to steal our spares....my F150 and a couple other Fords were the only trucks "spared" from a spare tire theft spree couple years back at work, because they had the key...all the spares on the Chevys/Dodges were gone (in broad daylight to boot).

 

I am not sure I gave the theives any other information than isn't readily available on Google. I was simply trying to give the folks in here with similar interest/vehicles what I found to be a good solution to a fairly common problem. I am fairly convinced that if the theives want something, they normally figure out how to get it and hopefully one day get theirs.

 

Glenn--sorry, I wasn't trying to single you out. It was actually the other thread that made me think of giving thieves info. You are 100 percent correct--thieves will figure out how to get whatever it is they want. And since I've had 3 break-ins in the last 18 months, I too hope they get theirs!! I guess a word to the wise is, if you mod the spare tire key, make sure you put a cable around it with a lock. Although, I'd like to figure out how to wire 10,000 volts to my truck for the next thief...

 

No problem Waverunner, and I agree with you about the voltage thing. Would love to ensure they don't get anyone again. I have only had one in recent history and that was on my last truck.

 

There is also a thread somewhere about "electrifying" the truck. Had something to do with keeping birds of the truck using a couple 12V batteries and making the skin of the truck "live".

I know a guy that used an extension cord and a diode or a resistor to make his fence electric at his house. Would be fun to mess with if I knew what I was doing.