PJB

theres a lock cylinder on the rear bumper under a flip down cover by the license plate that blocks the spare tire rod hole.

Id just like to be able to get the spare up and down without an issue in case I ever need it. Id hate to have to call a tow truck for something I can do.

jrmongi

2 more options I have a regular key I hade made at a local hardware store for 3 bucks this way if I broke it I wasn't out my key with transponder in it this way you can put some force on the key without the worry about expensive keys. And if you crawl under te back of your truck and look behind the bumper you will see the clip that holds the back aide of the lock together. Simply remove it and the lock comes right out

amick218

Oh, that little thing came out super easy, but then when I got the rod down in there I couldn't get it to lower...so annoying!!!! I needed an anger management class afterwards...

PJB

I really havent gotten under it to look at it but if it just unclips that easily Ill take it off and leave it off.

I couldnt get it to lower when I put the rod thru the other hole but I thought maybe it was the angle being wrong.

Seems Ford has their heads up their *** when it comes to spare tires. I remember the Ranger I owned had a strange setup that was almost impossible to get off too. Never a problem with any of the Chevy's I owned though.

MPETE

iTrader: (1)

THIS!!!!! its crazy simple to pull that lock cyl out.

huffy47

i got a flat and the lock was seized up. took out my frustration on it and busted it out with the tire iron. i mean if some one wants your spare that bad they will do the same, just pound it out. never have to worry about the lock again.

allinon72

I had to rip the ring off the back and get it out that way. A would-be thief could do the same thing in 10 seconds if he wanted the spare. That's why I tossed mine and left the hole.

sgtpatiolantern

I like the idea of a locking spare, yet I think I will have to lubricate mine well to alleviate issues like this. One of the guys at work has the same lock, never lubed it and never had issues, but history has shown that I will have problems. My locking hitch pin gets re-lubed every year and I have never had issues. The locking endgate on my work truck gets re-lubed as well. I will be going through these features on my new Ford. No one wants to be stranded on the side of the road with a flat and no access to a spare!

bubbabud

After reading and comenting on this post I walked out to the garage took out the factery tool kit [those velcrow straps are a roylel pain] and proceded to try to remove the lock plug it was stuck after fooling with it for a short time it urned and came out. I then discoverd that it wasnt the lock cylender that was stuck but the 2 locking bolts on the back side were stuck to the plastic ring that they rest. against. I discoverd that if you press in hard on the outer rim of the lock while turning the key it wil compress the gasket enough so it turns easly. While I was at it i used the factery tools to lower the spare and while it was down I turned it over so the valve stem was down and I could check tire pressure. I then tryed the lug wrench ant found several lugnuts that had been damaged jus enough that the facter wrench would not fit on them.[Tire shop used the wrong size socket] and rounded the corners. I was glad to sort this out in the garage and not out on a desert hiway at 120 degrees. Hope this helps

PJB

I got the lock off by grabbing the clip from behind with pliers. I still couldnt get the lock to work for some reason though so I decided to leave it off.

I wanted the flip down cover covering the hole on the bumper though so I jammed a big washer in it and put a bolt thru it with a wingnut from a car taillight on the back side of the bumper. Now it still looks like it should. I carry a small tool set in the truck so if the bolt/wingnut get stuck I can easily undo them.