Hack for lowering spare tire?

[jallen]

UPDATE: Please see my reply a few posts down!!! I may have jumped the gun…sort of!


Ok, so I’ve owned multiple F150s since 2006, and maybe I’m slow, but I never knew this hack before today.

I’ve always lowered the spare on occasion to keep the mechanism free and check the condition of the tire, but now with my Lightning I do it every rotation and incorporate it into the process and then put it back away. This allows me to jack one wheel at a time, which is easier with the lightning.

We all know getting the jack kit out and then put away correctly is a pain. Turns out the tool is the same diameter as a 3/8” socket! So, I cobbled together all of my extensions, and then chucked them up backwards in my drill, ran it in reverse, and Wahlah!!!!!

So much faster and easier than getting that stupid jack kit out!

Sorry if this is an already well known fact!

 

[Athrun88]

Great tip, especially for new owners! What's the rough length of the extensions combined? I haven't taken out the jack set yet myself.

 

[sd25]

Great idea! Thanks!

 

[hturnerfamily]

I guess now I'll have to my OEM 'jack kit' back in my truck : /

I replaced it with a more robust JACK LIFT, and 4-way foldable lug wrench, which is much, much better and easier for ANy vehicle, ESPECIALLY this high-stance truck frame... oh well...

I guess I forgot all about how to 'get to' the extra tire : )

 

[jallen]

Well, stand by everyone!!! Sorry for misinformation!!! My particular 3/8” that ended up on the end grabbed just fine…but the others I have do not!!!

Turns out it is 0.5” needed. So it’s closer to your 1/2” extension, not the 3/8”!

Did same thing with my 1/2” extensions and it works much better without slipping.
My particular 3/8” extension lowered it just fine, but slipped when cranking it back up!

I measure the post…it is tapered which explains why it works with multiple sizes. If you use a 3/8” , you need to maintain force towards pin so it does not slip, since it’s tapered. See photos.

Ended up removing the plastic “funnel” so that I can use the 1/2” more easily.

Sorry for the confusion!

 

[hturnerfamily]

I just got out my 'old' OEM jack set and removed the two 'longer' bars, connecting them, and then 'finding' the way into the funnel 'tunnel', after removing my 'key locked' door/opening.

I found that the supplied lug wrench provides a proper leverage on the end to easily turn the bars, and lower the wheel/tire. I found that it was just as easy when turning it back right to raise the wheel/tire.

I then put these three bar/parts under the rear seats for the 'next' time I need them.
I will probably forget these 'hidden' tools, and wonder 'how in the heck' to get that spare tire down when the time ever comes : / oh well.

 

[Tony Burgh]

Call AAA.

 

[Firn]

For $20 you can get a corded impact from Harbor freight.

Add a VERY long extension, and an adapter to run the factory jack, and that $20 would be VERY handy if you get a flat

 

[Ricks Lightning]

An 8 point socket works on square nuts or in this case a square shaft.
Might need to put the socket on after the extension is pushed through the bumper.

Rick

 

[sstevetx]

Tried out this morning and it worked. I lubricated the winch and reeled it back up. I wasn't sure if the cordless drill tightened it enough, so I tried the stock tool. I was able to tighten it more several spins. I lubricated the key lock as well. Nice little trick to do regular maintenance.

 

[Zprime29]

Call AAA.

We got a flat on the highway, I10 just outside of Benson heading towards Tucson. My wife called AAA while I started figuring out how to get the spare down ( had no clue, first time F150 owner ). Despite that delay, I still had the spare pumped back up to the correct PSI and on the truck tightening the lugs when the tow truck driver called to get our location. Would've been about 30-45 min wait for AAA beyond what it took for me to just do it. And now that I know how it all works, I could do it in half the time it took me.

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