Bought my 02' used and discovered that it has the lock in the spare tire. I don't have the key! Had to borrow an expedition tire for a week till my new F-1's came in but now I'm going to the track this weekend and I can't pass tech with it under there. How can I get it out without destroying the cable system holding it in? I've searched here and it look's like I may have to cut it but I wanted to try for help one last time.

 

Wouldn't a locksmith be cheaper than wrecking the tire holder?

Especially since you could drive to him.
Some of the charge is that whole mobility thing.

 

If you can reach around the spare, I dont remember if it was 2 or 3 bolts that hold the cable mechanism to the frame....They can only be accessed from the top...If you cant do it, then you might have to cut the cable...I had a cable frey real bad and had to get a new assembly, like 70 bucks for that stupid thing....Good luck..

 

If you need some wiggle room to get at the bolts just take the valve core out of the spare and deflate it.

 

Email me your addy and I can send you the lock ...

I took mine off years ago ...

Cliff

 

There are only 4-5 different keys, your local Ford Dealer has a master set to determine which key you need and they can order you a new key and drop your spare for you.

 

Don't think it'll do any good, I've tried 2 already. But thanks for the offer.

Deflating the spare sounds like a great idea to start with. I'll have to see if that'll work to get the bolts loose. I'm gonna see if the dealer can trace the lock # through the VIN # but it wouldnt be here in time so the project for tommorow is lookin pretty ugly.

 

Why can't you pass tech with a spare???

 

Ya know, I'm not entirely sure. Just from what I've heard if your going to a track (not drags) You need to clean out everything. Glove box, floor mats etc. And there is some dispute over if it really need's to come out or not. The 2 people that I spoke with last night that had just attended a training session put on by the school I'm going to said the only car that is required to keep a spare is the Viper roadster. Something about it being part of the crumple zone and in a rear end collision the trunk bolts shear off and the lid then removes your head or something. So I just don't want to take chances and I was thinking of getting rid of it and the hitch anyway.

 

None of the HPDE events I have attended required it
but your group may be different. I forgot about the
different keys used.

Good Luck and HAVE A BALL !!!

 

I don't know about any other on track guys but The Driver's Edge does not require us to remove the spare. We do have to remove the floor mats and all the other stuff you talked about. My instructor last time had me leave my hard bed cover, hitch and spare to add as much weight to the rear as possible. It did help a little.


Jerry

 

I'd think that on a truck / road coarse that you WOULD want that weight over the rear?

(I've never ran a coarse before. So my opinion on this is totally in my head. )

Rich