Ford F150 - Spare tire lock

extreme · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 9:23 am Post subject: Spare tire lock

Anyone have any idea how to access the spare wheel without a key?

I was driving home last night and got a flat, I went to wind the spare down and coulnd't insert the jack handle, got the manual out and discovered it has a lock inserted.

Someone must have been looking after me, as whilst I was standing with a puzzled look in the layby, my friend drove by in the opposite direction in his newly purchased F150 H/D and lent me his spare!!!!

I've had to give the wheel back today, and so I'm off the road until I can source an F1 Eagle, and/or remove my spare.

hugh688 · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 9:31 am Post subject:

not really sure, i've yet to ever need my spare but i know i have a lock chuck in my glovebox. try a dealership, or maybe just call one and see what they say. good luck and post back with how you make out.

extreme · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 10:56 am Post subject:

I contacted my local Ford agent,but they were less than helpful! They more or less told me that I've got to expect problems when I import a vehicle that isn't available in this country, and suggested I contact the person who I bought it from!

redcrew · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 12:04 pm Post subject:

Yikes! You'd think they'd at least have had to have dealt with it before . . .

That was great of the guy to help you out!

F150 Q1 · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 12:20 pm Post subject:

Hello,
I had the same thing happen to me, I had to take a saw and cut the wire that holds up the tire, that's the only way I could change my tire.

rustyred · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 1:19 pm Post subject:

I believe they are made by McGard. http://www.mcgard.com/map.asp
Hope the link works, otherwise just browse McGard.I see they have people in England maybe they can help you?

RR

ROCKPILE2001 · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 8:02 pm Post subject:

I purchased a totaled truck that I rebuilt, the previous owner cleaned out the glove box and took the spare tire key with it. After doing some checking I found out that Ford makes a master kit that has all of the spare tire keys in it. There are about 12 different patterns. I located a dealer that had one of these kits (not all dealers have one). After driving to the dealer and talking to them, they told me to simply remove the lock for the lowering mechanism and the standard jack handle will than fit into it. So I drove back home took the lock out and now my spare tire doesn't require a key. My father-in law took the lowering mechanism out somehow. I know that it is just bolted to the frame, but I don't know how he got at it. I hope this helps.

extreme · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 4:00 am Post subject:

I had a look up the plastic guide with a torch and sure enough there is a "Mcgard" lock fitted. I'll try contacting them on Monday but I'll be bringing my air saw back from work with me just in case.

My biggest problem is the flat tire is trashed, and 295/45 18 F1 Eagles are in rather short supply over here in England!!!

Looks like I'll be spending the best part of Monday phoning around to try and locate some.

Out of interest, how much are they in the USA, I've been quoted around $300.00 each in the UK.

tomireland · Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 5:27 pm Post subject:

I was curious if you ever resolved your spare tire key issue. The same thing happened to me but I was fortunate enough to have AAA tow me to a tire dealer and bought a decent tire to match my others. I went to the Ford dealer and they said that I could purchase a new lock kit ($50), they would remove the other one (who knows how much that would cost) and they would install the new one (another cost). It's quite a rip off!.
Just curious.

Tom Ireland
USA

F-1FIDDY · Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 9:09 pm Post subject:

I think you can get another key made by a Ford dealer based on the VIN alone. With a VIN a dealer can find out the original key code and cut that key.

regina_welder · Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 10:48 am Post subject:

I had the same prob i just drilled the lock out.

mercman · Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 12:48 pm Post subject:

Does every f-150 have one? I just looked in my 01's glove box, no such key. I recently bought this truck used and didn't know about it nor looked.
So do 2001 f-150's need a key to get to the spare?
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PAZTruk · Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 1:00 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure about the 01's but my 03 certainly does. Rather funny looking key, about 1/2" diameter looks kinda like a bolt and has a notch to fit the hand crank and a star pattern at the other end similar to the locking lug nuts. Second thought it maybe nice to check around for an extra while I have the original from the sounds of it.

F150Phule · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:50 am Post subject:

Just do what I did with my 97. WHen I got it from the used car place I had a look underneath when they had it on the lift and saw how rusted the rim and lock were so I told them to just take the spare off and out it in the bed. I then went to Canadian Tire and got some cargo tie-downs to go in the stake post holes. I just used really think steel cable with an eye loop on one end and a padlock on the other and lock the tire in the bed with the cable thru the tie-down. That way I never have to worry about getting on the ground to get the spare from under the truck.
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dbhost · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:47 am Post subject:

Not sure about your older truck, but with my '04, it is the same key as the rest of the truck...