Spare tire I decided to change my spare tire for a used on that was on my truck. After removing it form the spare tire rack. I found out that it ws the wrong size tire and did not match the other tire manufacture.

Before doing anything make sure you have air in your spare..,A good Jack and spare tire removal kit....The kit should be under or behind the passenger seat..I don't like the factory Jack it comes with because sometimes you need a good strong block of wood to achieve the height you need to contact the vehicle..and sometimes they don't work correctly...Some spare tire release tools are under the hood..It is a long skinny rod ...You have to use rod or rod kit to stick through the rear bumper at the slot and turn the rod counterclockwise after you feel the rod connect with the release mechanism..,Lower the spare until it touches the ground then keep turning so you can have enough slack to remove cable from spare tire...Set parking brake while in park and use the lug nut removal tool to break loose the lug nuts before raising vehicle..They are removed counter clockwise..Don't take nuts off just break them loose...Block front wheels for safety with anything solid you can find if you are stranded..If you can't find anything rely on parking brake..It should be safe in park but safety first....Jack vehicle up..,remove all lug nuts put them in a safe clean place don't lose them..Remove flat tire..Install spare..Start each lug nut and tighten them all tight by hand..Snug each nut clockwise in a star pattern ..Get them good and tight but don't try to hurt yourself or break the stud...Lower vehicle,remove Jack..Snug each lug nut once again for safety..Put flat in truck bed for now rather than back in the spare storage area because it has to be repaired..Crank spare cable that held spare under truck clockwise until it stops.Remove tool..,Gather all tools used., remove blocks from front tires.,Head to a tire store...

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rear of truck under neath frame

Regards, Lee Davidian

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The spare should be under the vehicle and it releases by removing a little 1/4 turn cap just inside the rear hatch area and on the floor..You then use the lug wrench to turn the bolt inside the small well under the cap in a counterclockwise direction and the spare will drop down so you can unhook a catch underneath the bumper and lower the rack to the ground and pull the spare out--To reinstall you reverse the process...If you turn the bolt too far it will separate from the sleeve into which it is attached and the spare will quickly drop to the ground--If this happens be sure to reinsert the bolt into the sleeve before attempting to reinstall the spare..

Easiest and Cheapest fix is to torch it or hacksaw it unable the spare tire is free! Then put your tire in the back or your truck! There are tire carriers designed for your bed! Check out LMC trucks it's where I found out about it... I've already moved my tire to the bed just to elminate this extremely common problem with using the factory tire carrier under the truck... Think about it... Where does all the snow and water go on your truck? Under the truck, right? So aviod using the facotry location at all cost or it will cost you... Someday...

Hello. When a spare hasn't been removed in 5 years it can get a bit rusted in place. The best bet is to put some air in the tire that is flat and drive to a tire store where they have the tools necessary to remove that spare with ease and a rack to lift u p the car. Joe

Rotate the hoist shaft counterclockwise in order to lower the spare tire to the ground. Continue to rotate the shaft until the spare tire can be pulled out from under the vehicle and removed. If the spare tire does not lower to the ground, the secondary latch is engaged causing the tire not to lower.

If the secondary latch is engaged and the cable end is visible, perform the following procedure: 3.1. Tighten the cable by rotating the hoist shaft clockwise until you hear 2 clicks or feel it skip twice. You cannot overtighten the cable. 3.2. Loosen the cable by rotating the hoist shaft counterclockwise 3 or 4 turns. 3.3. If the spare tire can be lowered, repeat steps 1 and 2 to see if the spare tire can be removed. 3.4. If the spare tire cannot be lowered, rotate the hoist shaft counterclockwise until approximately 15 cm (6 in) of cable is exposed. 3.5. Raise and support the vehicle. 3.6. Place a transmission jack, or equivalent, under the spare tire. 3.7. Position the center of the transmission jack under the secondary latch release button at the center of the spare tire. Arrange the arms of the transmission jack so they will support the tire after it has been released. 3.8. Raise the jack until the spare tire stops moving upward and is firmly held in place, releasing the secondary latch. 3.9. Lower the tire. If the spare tire is hanging by the cable, rotate the hoist shaft counterclockwise until the tire is low enough to remove.

The spare tire key/lock on Ford trucks and SUVs is not the same a wheel locks.

This is a very common problem -- Ford's spare tire key being missing in a used truck, van or SUV. Ford has discontinued this spare lock model, because it obviously sucks. Unfortunately, this means your dealership probably can't order the new spare key for you. The company that made them is still around, and you can find out what size it is and re-order, but this is not the best solution.

Here is the best answer I found, for what it's worth.

Remove the spare tire lock completely, and you don't need a key at all. Problem solved. You must first remove the black plastic guide that leads to the spare lock. Then, with a screwdriver push our the lock, or you can pull it out with pliers. Afterwards and forevermore, you can use the black rod extension to turn the spare tire winch mechanism, and it will work beautifully every time.

If you want to read more details about how to remove the lock, and pictures to guide you, check here: http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/333925-used-truck-has-no-spare-tire-key-2.html

Also, if you don't want to drive around with your spare unlocked (because, apparently, people steal spare tires), you can get an aftermarket tire lock for a very reasonable price -- and it will work, and be a heck of a lot better than the stock spare lock/key discontinued nightmare.

Put the car on a level ground, with the transmission in PARK. Lossen the nuts of the tire to change. Chuck back-tires if changing front, or chuck front-tires if changing back-tires. Jack up the car enough to raise the concerned tire off the ground. Remove nuts, and pull out the tire. Put in spare tire.
Hand tighten the nuts a considerable, but you might use the wrench to tighten a bit because this is a big/heavy car. Lower the car, and again tighten the nuts securely in a diagonal pattern with the wrench- two grunts used to be the rule of the thumb.

Spare Protector Enterprises has an UnderVehicle Spare tire cover that will fix your problem.
for $49.95 - contact them at 248 880-1014