I bought a used 2002 F-150 and was wondering how to get the spare tire down?
Thanks.

 

THere is a long crank handle located in your engine compartment (near the fan shroud). Remove it and place it into the hole in your rear bumper located near the license plate. It will enter into a tube and engage a crank which will lower the spare tire.

 

Once the tire is down you may want to check the winch system and cable to make sure its not too rusted or frayed. Sometimes the cable will not go back up. Thats why I just keep my spare in the bed.

 

Also if you can't get the spare down you may need to find the "spare lock key" that should be in your glove compartment. It will attach onto the long crank handle and then rotate it down!

 

From what I've read removing the spare has evolved over the years.

1997 to (I think) 2001 - you just slide the crank into the bumper hole.

2002 (I think) and newer - you have to attach a 'key' to the crank.
That key is really a socket type mechanism that marrys up to the spare winch holder.

Around 2006(I think) - the 'key' is a real key, maybe even the ignition key, because there is a lock covering the bumper hole.

 

In 04 they had a plug that required the ignition key so you could insert the crank handle into the bumper hole. Don't know if that started earlier, but definitely 04 up had it.

sm4086, the info is in the owners manual. If you do not have one, it can be downloaded for free in PDF format at www.motorcraftservice.com. The owners manual section.

 

Yep, that is what I thought, my 2005 has it.

 

'04 would make sense.

I feel for those who bought used '02 and '03.
Usually the owners manual is missing and maybe the 'spare key' socket is not in the glove box or under the seat.
You are kinda screwed because I'm sure they were cut somewhat unique so finding a replacement would be needle in a haystack.

You'd either have to somehow cut the locking mechanism or cut the cable.
The only upside is the whole winch mechanism eventually turns to crap and your better off replacing it anyway, without the socket setup.

Ford should have bypassed that 'upgrade' and went straight from no anti-theft to 'ignition-key-in-bumper-hole'.

 

once you've got it down you could buy the winch from a 97-01 model at a junkyard and not have to worry about the key issue

 

or if you live in NY you just keep the spare in the bed. Because the dang which is so rusted youre better off lol

 

After not being able to get my spare down by the jack handle ( as the manual says),, I did a search and your the only one thatmentions the lock tool, Thanks,,Ted