What is this lock for, located on the rear bumper of my new XLT? Is it a part of the tow package option that I got on the truck? I can't see that it secures anything...it just seems to be there to fill the hole next to the tag, in the rear bumper.

 

You insert a rod in this hole to lower your spare tire. The rod should be with the jack that came with the truck. The lock just prevents people from being able to steal your spare tire easily.

 

That's how you get to the winch to lower the spare.

 

Thanks!
It never occurred to me to look at how that hole was positioned re: the spare tire winch!

 

I was gonna pull you're leg and tell ya that was how you locked the rear end .....but like stated above that is the spare tire lock.

 

^lol^

 

Look farm-ilier?



Page 347 or thereabouts ...

Y'all should read it sometime - who knows what other goodies y'all'd find in thar?

 

yeah...I probably deserved that...

Actually, I *did* sit up late the other nite and went thru the owner's manual set, cover to cover, reading about all the "new stuff" on the truck.... but who wants to stop and read about how to change a flat tire???

 

Whenever I get something new that has a manual I leave it in the bathroom. That way I know it gets read!

 

"Changing the flat tire" is not the problem on these trucks. Getting the jack out and getting the spare on the ground is the big challange. Everyone should really look it over before they have the need. It can be a challange, especially in the rain. I know from experience with my 2005.

 

yep....

 

Good idea!
I may make that spare-tire process/exercise the subject of today's after-work new-truck project - yesterday's project was adding new running boards - if go over to my other post last night ("New 2012 XLT 5.0L Reg Cab"), you can see two pics that I posted of the truck with that first little mod completed.

 

OP - while we're on the topic of that danged lock, keep in mind it's not the best quality piece and tends to seize from corrosion if you even look at it funny.

So - while it's still new & shiny, lube it all up (and repeat periodically as part of yer maintenance routine - say, every oil change). Use fluid film, etc. Exercise it regularly.

This goes for the cable, hangar and gearbox as well.

Ol' Murphy is always peeking just around the corner - this WILL seize when you actually need to use it

==> https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...tire-lock.html


MGD

 

Very good advice! Those are in a place where they catch a lot of dirt and water.

 

My old 1995 GMC 1500 just had a hole in the bumper where the tool was inserted to winch down the spare. In 17 years, I never lubricated the winch/cable/etc...it just always worked...And I never had a problem with someone trying to steal that spare (maybe because one look at it's tread showed that it, mounted on the OEM wheel, was not worth the trouble of taking! ...or maybe I was just lucky...