Spare Tire

oldyellr · Jun 25, 2015

Hi,
I don't have a Ranger, but my son just bought a 1998 2WD 4L Supercab and we need a bit of help.

I Googled this subject and even came across a thread on it here, but we're still confused. We tried to lower the spare tire, but the tool just turns and nothing happens. The tool is in sections and it's cranked using the lug wrench. The business end is flat with a slight hook in it. I presume it's supposed to go into a slot in the winch, but Googling I've come across references to a "key" or "lock" which could be a special socket that goes on the end of the took and engages a special bolt head on the winch. Is this the case with the '98 Ranger, or does the "lock" refer to some security plug (which is missing) in the hole above the bumper where you insert the tool? I'd really like to get the spare down without using an angle grinder. Any other tips would be much appreciated.

alwaysFlOoReD · Jun 25, 2015

I ran across this same situation in an 04 f150. There is a "key" very similar to the key used for some locking lug-nuts or vending machines. Without the key I know of no solution as yet. Ford didn't keep a record of the key in relation to vin. I didn't realize there was such keys when I first got the truck and tossed the key in the garbage as Ithought it was useless....kicking myself in the ass every time I think of it. I suspect that yours is the same.
Good luck,

Richard

enjr44 · Jun 25, 2015

https://www.google.com/search?q=ranger+spare+tire+key&oq=ranger+spare+tire+key&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i64.11187j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

Google is your friend!!

alwaysFlOoReD · Jun 25, 2015

^^^^Thanks.
I'm going to try using the bolt head easy-out.

enjr44 · Jun 25, 2015

OK, I just went out and looked at both of my trucks. Neither came equipped with the spare tire key/lock. If there is a hole there is no key required. You will see the key slot and lock filling the hole if you need a key!!!

When you look at the hole where the shaft goes, it is just a hole. If you use a flashlight you can see the end of the lowering socket through the hole. Just for fun Ford used two types of spare tire winches. One uses the pointy ended shaft (has a hook on it). The other uses the square end of one of the shafts. In other words one type uses one end of two shafts and the other type uses the other two.

My 02 uses the pointed/hooked end. My 08 uses the square end. And, I do know that my 97 (long gone) used the pointed end.

So before you get out the cutting equipment, get down on your hands and knees that look through the hole.

oldyellr · Jun 25, 2015

alwaysFlOoReD said:
I ran across this same situation in an 04 f150. There is a "key" very similar to the key used for some locking lug-nuts or vending machines. Without the key I know of no solution as yet. Ford didn't keep a record of the key in relation to vin. I didn't realize there was such keys when I first got the truck and tossed the key in the garbage as Ithought it was useless....kicking myself in the ass every time I think of it. I suspect that yours is the same.
Good luck,

Richard

From my searches I did come across something like that, but wasn't sure if that was on the F-series or the Ranger. Tonight we'll have look where we found the jack and tools to see if the key is there, in a pile of rust.

oldyellr · Jun 25, 2015

enjr44 said:
https://www.google.com/search?q=ranger+spare+tire+key&oq=ranger+spare+tire+key&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i64.11187j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

Google is your friend!!

Thanks. I've probably seen most of those, just wasn't sure if the F-150 and Ranger were the same.

swifttony · Jun 26, 2015

Thanks

enjr44 said:
https://www.google.com/search?q=ranger+spare+tire+key&oq=ranger+spare+tire+key&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i64.11187j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

Google is your friend!!

Thanks for sharing. I am also looking for this.

oldyellr · Jun 26, 2015

Well, I'm still confused. I downloaded the owner's manual for the truck and there's no mention of any kind of "key".

The hole between the tailgate and bumper is barely big enough to get my finger in, so I don't see how a key or extractor could go through there. Anyway, my son has no patience and was anxious to take off on a road trip, so we took an angle grinder to it and dropped the tire. One day when we have more time we'll get the winch out of there and repair the end of the cable.

Mounting a spare under there exposed to years of salt spray is a dumb idea. Their Montana minivan has the same thing and he's never been able to use the spare. The only good way I've seen this implemented was on a '72 Datsun truck I had that used a rugged chain mechanism that wouldn't rust up.

enjr44 · Jun 26, 2015

Like I said before in post #5. If there is a hole, there is NO lock. The lock fills the hole and the key takes the lock out of the hole so you can get to the winch drive. And there are two different kinds of drives, slotted and square drive.

oldyellr · Jun 26, 2015

From what I've been able to find, the "lock" is either a conventional tumbler lock with a key, blocking the hole, or it's a gadget that goes on the end of the handle and engages a special lug nut type thing on the winch. Two different things. One day when we have time, we'll remove the winch and see why the flat end of the handle didn't seem to work.

The bottom end of the cable has a mushroom shaped piece swaged on it and I ground up the head to get the tire to drop. One day I'll fix it so it can be used again.

JackDW · Jun 26, 2015

If I remember correctly, my 03 Ranger just uses the little hook. My 04 F150 uses the special key (looks like one of those key lugs used on Mag Wheels). Take a flashlight and look through the hole in the bumper to make sure there is no obstruction. The first time I used it on the F150, it would not work. There was a little rock hung up mechanism that prevented the key from seating in the slot.

oldyellr · Jun 26, 2015

The handle on this one has a flat end with a slight curve in it, like a dinner fork. I'm guessing the curve is so it doesn't easily work out of the jack or winch. In any case, the truck is now off on a road trip with the spare sitting in the back, where God meant it to be.

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