Lowering spare tire using factory tool

I found out the hard way Toyota uses 12 different sockets to lower the spare. These are on the trucks that came with alloy wheels and locking lug nuts. It’s great until you lose that tool then you go see the dealer and find out which one you need. You could be stranded if you don’t have the tool. Toyota has a master kit and can match up to a corresponding part number then can order you a new one around 40 bucks.

My question is can you bypass this and convert to standard which just uses the normal hook found on trucks with steel wheels. Has anyone done this and what did it take?

 

I thought all Tacoma's used the hand crank with the curved end to lower the spare.
I have alloy rims and mine uses the hook at the end of the hand crank

 

@Gen2 Man that was a bit of a head scratcher. But did you mean the security socket strapped onto this standard hoist crank handle?

https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.c...MItN_W1_ar5gIVSrzACh3bTg5VEAQYBSABEgJ3ifD_BwE

 

Holy Crap!

What a mess!

My spare will raise and lower via the J hook that's also used on the jack. I bought my Tacoma used from a dealer and it was missing the kit. I pointed this out and they supplied another one, from where, who knows? I also found out the one they supplied wasn't correct as one of the thumb screws contacts part of the frame when in use so I replaced that screw with a regular bolt. The segments on mine are a 15" J hook and 11.5" extensions.

A quick Google search brings up lots of replacements. Some of those include measurements. The segments are 18.7" J Hook and 18.5" extensions, but those with measurements say they cover 2005-2014. Of course I have a 2015 (don't think that really matters). Dorman states their kit covers 2005 - 2019 but doesn't give segment lengths.

Mine are solid, some of the aftermarket seem to be pipe, not sure if that makes any difference. Dorman runs about $38, other brands on Amazon can be had for about $25 (lowest I saw was $19.99 and $4.99 shipping)

So I can't directly answer your question but I can caution the segment lengths can make a difference.

Glad to add to the confusion.

ETA:
My rims are aluminum and 21mm lugs, which I replaced because the OME chrome caps are crap.

 

My best wild ass guess is that you can't remove the existing one to replace it without first unlocking it...because security.

But I imagine you could buy an aftermarket non-locking type, and just have a dealer unlock this one, and do it yourself.

 

Base model FTW

 

Yes that’s exactly it and there are 12 different sockets so if you lose yours it’s back to the dealer to figure out which one you need. I’d like to do away with this and just use the plain hook without socket like on standard models. Screw 40 bucks for a pot metal replacement socket and I’m not worried about theft of the wheel. Somebody somewhere could find out the hard way and become stranded with a flat tire all because they don’t have this monkey motion socket.

 

That's odd. My '14 just used the curved hook into a cup/slot. Too easy.

 

Yes and I would urge those reading this to make sure you know which configuration you have. I haven’t dropped the tire to look yet but worst case scenario I’d have to drill off some rivets to install the simple curved hook and slot arrangement after obtain correct replacement from salvage yard. Whoever devised this security lock deserves to be bitch slapped.

 

That's super strange, mine doesn't have that either. It looks like you can buy the whole unit for not too much though. You might even be able to find someone here who moved their spare out from under the bed and is willing to give you theirs.

$87 Toyota 51900-04041 Spare Tire Carrier Assembly

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Toyo...5190004041&qid=1576021762&s=automotive&sr=1-1

https://www.oempartsquick.com/oem-p...4Sz3Gbbz0bDjVYRwvsWWJ_ouUzxpwZdhoCxMEQAvD_BwE

 

Never seen such a thing.

Then again I only have 5 lugnuts per wheel too.

 

So this is what comes with Gen 2 factory locking lug nuts, yes? My 2015 didn't come with that option, thankfully.

My 2001 had original equipment locking lug nuts, but that still had the j-hook winch on the spare.

 

I think Toyota implemented this system for the trucks headed for the Harlem and East LA areas.

 

Never seen that. My '06 Sport has the "J" or "C" hook on the end, just like in that photo, but no key required. My '07 has a rod with only a slight curve on the end.

 

Regular curved hook on my 2015 and 17.