I got a flat earlier this week and when I went to change it was disappointed to see my spare tire was no longer under the bead of the truck.

Not sure if the rod rusted out or if someone cut it off/stole it but I need to get some parts so I can put a new spare on.

Has this happened to anyone before and do you know what I need to hold a new spare?

Thanks,
Catfish

 

Are you sure you even had one?
The cables on these have been know to break or many times have a key in the lowering mechanism that gets lost so the spare gets cut off.

You can buy this from Amazon to replace your broken one (or search on e-bay, but this Amazon one is the cheapest I have found)

For a spare, look around on craigslist or look at a parts yard for one.

 

The cable for the spare tire on this generation has been known to break. You likely lost it on the road somewhere.

Ford states not to crank it so the cable is fully tight and you won't have an issue.

 

OH that's what that noise was!!

 

The new ones have been redesigned with a spring on the end to help with that issue.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/97-03-Ford-F...JWCyYu&vxp=mtr

 

Only issue is that doesn't have the spring and will likely break if tightened too much.

 

That is true, but I didn't have one on my truck, but just added a compression spring from my junk and it worked fine.

 

So $80 for a used one from e-bay or $80 for a brand new improved model from Amazon.
Hmm, which one would I want?

I actually got my used replacement from e-bay For $85 before I found the Dorman replacement link. It works fine, but wish I had the improved design with the spring. I did grease my cable up before lifting up the spare, and lower it at least once a year to check it. My cable was cut by the previous owner (my cousin) because he could not find the "key" for the spare lowering mechanism.

 

I didn't catch the used part. I glanced and saw the new black paint and assumed (you know how that works) and just missed the USED line. MY OOPS.