how do i remove the spare tire on a 2002 ford f 150 super crew fx4

 

There is a crank attached under the hood near the radiator.
Remove it and stick it in the hole located in your rear bumper. (all the way in)
Turn it counter clockwise (you should feel resistance).

I saw a guy struggling with an Expedition at a rest stop with a flat.
He had borrowed it from his Mother-In-Law and no owners manual.
He was under the rear trying to wiggle the spare free, unaware of the crank under the hood.

Big guy, he had actually worked the spare pretty loose,
so I just helped him out, without laughing.

 

i did that and nothing happens

 

There is a "key" that must be put on the end of the rod in order to lower the spare. It should be in the glove box (at least my old '03 had this key in the kit from the dealer.)

 

okay ill look for the key when bought truck no owners manual thanks for the help

 

cwb1975
Here is a thread with some info....
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...pare+tire+lock

Maybe it will help you recognize it when you see it, and where to look.
Seems Ford started using this 'key-lock' security attachment in 2002, your year.

Older models (2001) you just put the rod in the hole.

 

Yeah, I don't have a key.

 

Old body style F-150's don't have the key. The new body styles do though. Sometimes on the old body style the sleeve will come off of the spare tire winch. If you are sure that the rod is catching and spinning try hitting the tire, in case its kind of stuck. If its not breaking loose and lowering cut the cable. You can buy a new winch for $25.00 from a salvage yard and it takes 2 bolts to replace it.

 

ford-bob,
read this thread.
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...pare+tire+lock

The 2002-2003 old body-style owners have an attachment that goes on the end of the cranking rod.

1997-2001 old body-style didn't use the attachment, just the rod went in the hole.

 

That's good but I've had an '02 and an '03 neither of which had a lock. Both ford dealers I have spoken to say that there isn't a lock on the old body style's. I've had two '04's and both of them do have the lock.

 

I think the confusion lies in the use of the terms 'Lock' and 'Key'.

Let me ask you this.
Did you ever lower the spare on you 2002 or 2003?

If so, did you stick the rod in the bumper hole without putting a 5 inch attachment on it?

I believe the new bodystyle actually uses a key which could go on a key ring like a house key and there is a 'lock' on the bumperhole.

 

My 2003 Supercrew came with a key in the glovebox. I've never used it nor tried to lower my spare tire, though.

I've uploaded the 2003 F-150 Owner's Manual. See page 187 for details on the spare tire lock.

 

No, in my experience i have stuck the rod directly in the whole without the attachment. on the newer models there is an adapter that attaches to the rod and goes into the tube through the bumper to the winch. I'll stand with my experience you stand with your's and every one is happy. I could argue with you all day and tomorrow and you prolly could too.

 

You misunderstand my intent, ford-bob. Don't want to argue, just clarify the model years in question to help others.

Many people are buying these trucks used with no owners manual.
Lowering the spare is a common occurence during ownership and this thread is in a Forum and has a Title that will lead to many views in the future.
I'd just like members/ Guests have as accurate information as possible without firing from the hip.

Here is what we've narrowed it down to:
1997 - 2001 the rod underneath the hood goes directly into the bumper hole.(no key-like attachment)

The 2003 Owners Manual APT posted above states 'put key-like attachment on end of rod' as depicted on page 188 of that manual.

This leaves the year 2002, which happens to be the author's model year.
I have posted a link above where a half dozen 2002 owners stated key = 'Yes'
You say 2002 model key = 'No'

Maybe it was an option
Maybe you had a different trim line.
Maybe you'd look at page 188 in the link and say "Oh yeah, I did that."

 

Maybe it was an option, maybe it was a different package, I don't know. I do know that on my '02 XLT and on my '03 Lariat there was no "key-like" adapter to lower the spare tire. On both of my '04's, and my '05 Super-Duty there was a "key".

If your spare won't drop and you think it does have a key then go to the dealership and they will have a book of keys. They will test each one until one works.
I believe there are 27 possibilities.