Added Spare Tire Lock

[jnthn98]

As with many owners here reported, the newer Lightnings don't come with the spare tire lock on the rear bumper. Thought about buying the OEM lock for $65, but seeing how easy it is to undo the lock from Youtube (held only by a clip), I don't feel like it's worth it. I ended up buying an outdoor Master wrap-around cable lock for $30 that ties the spare to the frame. It has a thicker cable diameter than others that I've seen. Search for "Master 8413DPF" if you are interested (I am not affiliated with Master).

Photos are attached in case anyone is thinking about doing something similar. I added duct tape at the end just to prevent dirt from going into the key hole.

 

[RickLightning]

That will be fun to get your spare down on the side of a road in 20 degree weather with slush all over it...

Had a truck since 2013, never had anyone touch my spare. My Lariat has a temp spare on a crappy wheel, like yours. Who steals those?

 

[jimfigler]

That will be fun to get your spare down on the size of a road in 20 degree weather with slush all over it...

Had a truck since 2013, never had anyone touch my spare. My Lariat has a temp spare on a crappy wheel, like yours. Who steals those?

Got to agree on this.

 

[21st Century Truck]

I installed a spare tire OEM lock on my truck, keyed by the dealer to my fob key.

The Youtube back-of-lock defeat method can be blocked by capping the rear lock circlip with waterproof epoxy or with Liquid Electrical Goop, or similar self-hardening coating material. That's my method.

Most thieves will likely see the mushroom of hardened goop covering the back of the lock, and move on to an easier target.

 

[B177y]

That will be fun to get your spare down on the side of a road in 20 degree weather with slush all over it...

Had a truck since 2013, never had anyone touch my spare. My Lariat has a temp spare on a crappy wheel, like yours. Who steals those?

Depends on where you live.

These are the same people that steal EA and Tesla supercharger cables for the copper.

Who would have thought that stealing catalytic converters would have turned into a cottage industry? Luckily we don't have to deal with that on a Lightning.

In the urban areas around here (PNW), tweakers will steal anything they can get their hands on. I have never had a spare tire stolen, but I would rather put up with some inconvenience when I need that tire instead of finding out too late that it is gone.

 

[jnthn98]

Thankfully I don't have to deal with snow here in SoCal. Unfortunately in today's society, there are people who would shoot someone just for a can of coke. People steal for things that are worth way less than crappy spare wheels. Better safe than sorry. $30 is cheap enough to add as a deterrent in my case.

 

[astrand1]

I installed a spare tire OEM lock on my truck, keyed by the dealer to my fob key.

The Youtube back-of-lock defeat method can be blocked by capping the rear lock circlip with waterproof epoxy or with Liquid Electrical Goop, or similar self-hardening coating material. That's my method.

Most thieves will likely see the mushroom of hardened goop covering the back of the lock, and move on to an easier target.

What did the dealer charge to key it and get it? And do you have a link to a video or write up of the method to help keep the lock from defeated?

 

[DoyouLightning]

While your down there I recommend adding a spare tire cover to help clean up the overall look from the rear. Not sure if it helps with overall aero like a hard cover but I'm sure it doesn't hurt.

 

[21st Century Truck]

What did the dealer charge to key it and get it? And do you have a link to a video or write up of the method to help keep the lock from defeated?

Here is my thread from September 2024 describing both actions, with pics.

FYI it took some hunting by the Service Advisor to find the correct way to order a lock which could be keyed to my car skeleton key... see below.

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...to-protect-my-full-use-spare-oem-wheel.21413/

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