Just another WHAT IS IT thread

[tallyho8]

I bought this 2012 Ford F150 new and have had it all this time without ever seeing this before. I just saw it today for the first time and don't know what the heck it is. I am too lazy to look for the manual to see if it is in there because I know there is someone on this forum that knows and will tell me. My key that came with the truck goes in the keyhole but won't turn it. So, What is it?

 

[George2615]

I bought this 2012 Ford F150 new and have had it all this time without ever seeing this before. I just saw it today for the first time and don't know what the heck it is. I am too lazy to look for the manual to see if it is in there because I know there is someone on this forum that knows and will tell me. My key that came with the truck goes in the keyhole but won't turn it. So, What is it?

It is the access point to you spare tire. Put your ignition key in and turn counter clockwise to remove the lock. Then you have to dig out your jack handle bars (mine were under the rear seat) and connect all the bars together and insert fully thru the hole. Then unwind to lower your spare wheel / tire from between the frame.
As you bought it new and haven't changed the ignition lock the key should work. May need some lube / penetrant oil to free it up. Its been sitting for 12 years.

 

[whitenorth]

Put the ignition key in, turn it and pull. It should come out if not rusted in. Behind it is the tunnel that guides the rod to the crank that lowers the spare tire.

 

[Jstpssng]

That's where you access your spare tire. My crappy Internet won't let me see the full picture, but it appears you have a lock on it which must be removed before accessing

 

[tallyho8]

THANKS! I knew I would get a quick reply. I have never removed my spare so I knew nothing about it. I will try some WD40 in the hole and see if it frees up enough to turn.

 

[Jstpssng]

You may just do what I did this fall when my 2019 company Tundra had a not-so-slow leak. I am the third user but the first to drop the spare... only to discover a 2 ply tire on a temporary rim. I cranked it back up, aired the slack tire and ran to the tire store for 4 brand new rubbers.

 

[Hay Dude]

You may just do what I did this fall when my 2019 company Tundra had a not-so-slow leak. I am the third user but the first to drop the spare... only to discover a 2 ply tire on a temporary rim. I cranked it back up, aired the slack tire and ran to the tire store for 4 brand new rubbers.

What do prophylactics have to do with a flat tire?

 

[Jstpssng]

What do prophylactics have to do with a flat tire?

You tell me. I was trying to find another word for tires... and I'm sure that most people knew what I meant.

 

[dodge man]

That has absolutely nothing to do with your spare tire it unleashes another 150 horsepower.

 

[oosik]

The Taco Wagon has basically the same setup - without the lock. I lowered the spare down a bit to clean around it - this summer.

Man - I sure hope I never have a flat. That big 'ol tire is very heavy.

I question the need for a lock on the spare tire "system". I just can't picture somebody squatting down and operating the lift system just to steal the spare tire.

 

[ponytug]

The Taco Wagon has basically the same setup - without the lock. I lowered the spare down a bit to clean around it - this summer.

Man - I sure hope I never have a flat. That big 'ol tire is very heavy.

I question the need for a lock on the spare tire "system". I just can't picture somebody squatting down and operating the lift system just to steal the spare tire.

Depends on where you park your truck. At today's tire prices, it is an easy, and pretty anonymous theft. Friends have lost them stopped at a diner in transit.

All the best,

Peter

 

[mjonesnh]

The Taco Wagon has basically the same setup - without the lock. I lowered the spare down a bit to clean around it - this summer.

Man - I sure hope I never have a flat. That big 'ol tire is very heavy.

I question the need for a lock on the spare tire "system". I just can't picture somebody squatting down and operating the lift system just to steal the spare tire.

Happened to me. 1988 Chevy, working evening shift. got off work, get in truck and take off down road. Sparks following me, pull over. Someone let my spare tire carrier down and stole my spare. Had to go buy used wheel and tire to have spare. Way beyond pissed off.

 

[tallyho8]

That has absolutely nothing to do with your spare tire it unleashes another 150 horsepower.

I wish!

 

[George2615]

Happened to me. 1988 Chevy, working evening shift. got off work, get in truck and take off down road. Sparks following me, pull over. Someone let my spare tire carrier down and stole my spare. Had to go buy used wheel and tire to have spare. Way beyond pissed off.

That's why his has a lock where a key is required to remove it. If key isn't removed you can't access the device that lowers the spare.

 

[mrmikey]

Never having moved since 2012 I don't think the lock is even necessary. I'm thinking chances of getting it down using anything other than a grinder or torch is going to be pretty near impossible. If there's any air in the tire and if the rim isn't rusted beyond use.

 

[Oaktree]

What do prophylactics have to do with a flat tire?

Wow, I haven't heard condoms referred to as rubbers since I was in high school back in the 60s. Didn't think anyone still used that term.
Guy I worked with at a summer job when I was a teenager kept referring to finding "beetle skins" on the ground near his property (apparently a lovers lane). Took a while to figure out what he meant, he's the only person I ever knew who called them that.

Depends on where you park your truck. At today's tire prices, it is an easy, and pretty anonymous theft. Friends have lost them stopped at a diner in transit.

Never really gave that much thought. I've lost a couple spare tires over the years due to the suspension cable rusting away, but I sure noticed it when they fell off!!
While my truck doesn't have the spare lock, I did notice it on some when I was truck shopping last summer. It does have a tailgate lock.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^^^
I lost the spare in my company truck a few years ago just after I left my driveway; the entire frame crossmember it was attached to broke lose. The truck was 3 years old and ironically, I was headed to the office where it was going to be appraised for a trade-in.

 

[tallyho8]

I had a spare stolen a long time ago. I had a 1988 Ford Ranger 4 wheel drive Supercab and the spare was mounted to a bracket in the bed of the truck.

I needed a toolbox but I had to relocate my spare to put the toolbox in my bed. I simply put the spare under the toolbox and then when I bolted the toolbox down to the bed it tightened up the spare making it impossible hard to remove. The thief must have been awful strong because he pulled the spare out.

I had taken it out once to turn the valve around to make it accessible to check the air pressure in the tire. The only way I could get it out was to loosen the bolts that held the toolbox to the bed. The toolbox had to be opened to get to the bolts so no one could loosen them to take the toolbox or the spare, or so I thought.

 

[Jstpssng]

I had taken it out once to turn the valve around to make it accessible

As I was reading your first two paragraphs I wondered where the valve stem was. Stealing the tire was simple; he simply pulled the valve core and let the air out.

 

[tallyho8]

As I was reading your first two paragraphs I wondered where the valve stem was. Stealing the tire was simple; he simply pulled the valve core and let the air out.

I have to admit that I didn't think of that.