i need to get the spare down on my 2004 F150 FX4. I'm aware of the lock in the bumper to access the hole for the jack parts to pass through for this.
My issue is that neither of the two keys that came with the truck will work.
Short of calling a locksmith, does anyone know of how to get the spare down?
Thanks in advance
Thump

 

grab some vice grips and a screw driver and pry or pull the darn lock out. Odds are no one is ever gonna steal your spare. It's too much of a pain to lower it anyway. I had the same issue on my 06' so I just pulled the lock out.

 

Try jamming the rod between the bumper and tailgate to get to the spare tire rod funnel thing. This works sometimes but you have to be careful not to damage paint. Once it is down you can remove the spare tire lock clip on the backside easily

 

Or you could pry the lock of like the OP suggested

 

It's funny you have this problem because my keys don't work on my tailgate lock and to top that off I've had my 06 since 08 and never even knew it had a lock on it till the other day a friend pointed it out. Wow I thought I knew my truck front to back.

 

My ignition key wouldn't even budge the lock until I cleaned out all of the road grime, dirt and corrosion. I sprayed it with PB Blaster then let it soak for a few hours. I sprayed the back of the lock with compressed air to remove years of dirt. After another shot and soak of PB Blaster the key was finally able to remove the lock.

 

I had to do the same with the pb blaster, and once I got it out, I never put it back in. Screw getting stuck on the side of the road with no way to get that little ***** out of there.

 

Had the same problem with mine...tried the clean and soak method, to no avail. Finally just did what bwFX42006 said. I just used some channel locks and a ball peen hammer with a punch an popped it out. After I got it out, I cut it apart and lined the key up just to see if maybe it was keyed wrong, but it was a perfect match, just basically welded from years of road grime.

 

I used a grinder and cut the cable, throw the spare in the bed, problem solved!

 

I agree. Who would go to all the trouble to steal an old rusty spare anyway?