So after our family owned 5 F150's I ran into an issue this year with a flat tire. Went to get the spare on my 02 FX4 and it has a special key to lower the spare. I have never seen this and it was news to me. When i bought the truck every nook and cranny was clean so i knew i didn't have one. Unless they hid it well.

I stopped 11 different f150's and superdutys and all but 2 had there keys and every one was different. Just my luck!!! Had to leave the truck and come back the next day. Got it back on the road and went into ford and they don't just sell the keys. You have to buy the key and the end that attaches to the spare tire winch assembly. Is there a way to change those out without dropping the spare tire?

Doesn't this kind of defeat the purpose????

 

What do you mean a "key"?

My ignition/door key unlocks the hole to drop my spare on the bumper and it's just a square at the end of the shaft of the jack that lowers her down

 

One similar to this. It hooks onto the end of the rod under your hood. Then slides all teh way into the hole on the bumper all the way to winch and you use this to turn the winch to lower your tire.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-OEM-YC35-1A380-AA-SPARE-TIRE-LOCK-KEY-FREE-SHIPPING-/261277464624?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cd559b830&vxp=mtr

 

I googled it and was surprised how many people are in the same boat as me. Found an answer and even a video doing it.

 

There is a way to remove the key socket from the winch so the rod will directly engage the winch.

 

I put every 1/2 and 3/8 6 inch extensions together that i had. Tried a multitude of old sockets, 9/16's was the winner. Couple hits with a hammer and it was right over the key.

Then a twist with the ratchet and the tire was down. Then i took a small screwdriver and popped of the plastic tube that slide the rod down to there. Same screwdriver was able to pry the little key off.

Really was quite simple and only took 5 min once i found all my extensions.

Once i got the key off it was able to take the standard rod that came with my truck.

 

Glad it got all sorted out!

 

I've seen a guy on YouTube use sockets like twintips 17 said try looking

 

Mine came in the glovebox in a black/clear pouch