I recently bought a 2003 F150 Lariat Fx4. My first Ford truck and I love it. My problem is I have no jack. After I got the truck home and went all through it just looking, I opened up the jack compartment and it was empty. Not that big a deal. I can get a jack. Problem is apparently there is some little key you need to unwind the spare tire carrier to put the spare under the bed. That would explain the spare being in the bed of the truck when I bought it. The dealership i bought it from was no help. I tried several friends keys who have f150s but didn't work. Probably because they were newer models. What can I do about this? It's going to drive me crazy having the spare in the bed. Also being a short wheel base, it takes up all the room in the bed. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Not familiar with the FX4, I would assume the key cylinder would have matched the ign/door key. Tear it out of there, drill it, what ever it takes. My 02 just has the hole to insert the jack crank to operate the lift mechanism. Again my 02 has the jack under the rear seat.

 

I say it's a key but it actually looks like some funny star shaped socket. It fits on the end of the jack handle rods.

 

Same type of shape as the locking lug nuts used to be?

 

they are a special key thing. Actualy, if you can get under the truck there is a black tub thingy leading to where you put the thing in to lower the spare tire. it might take a bit of effort, but you can turn that and it comes off, should be about 1/4 turn. then there is a little metal thing there that the key goes into, it pops out with a pry bar or something. It's easier to get rid of the damn things then to get a new key, and besides that if you get any mud or anything in there they key don't work till it's cleaned out. I actually should get rid of mine, I'll try to get pics then if I can. Stupidest concept I've ever seen. The ones on the newer trucks are not bad.
~Josh

 

Thank you skyscreamer. I understand what your saying about the black guide tube. I think i will wait for some of your pics before i attempt this. But you think a pry bar will get it off?

 

yeah, I am pretty sure I used a pry bar or flat blade screwdriver on the other ones I did. Kinda takes a bit to get them, but they have a little edge on them. I'll get pics this week I think, a ton of snow around here right now and I don't have a garage so I got to wait till I can get out to the farm with the truck.
~Josh