1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

How to remove spare tire

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by skootx, Aug 2, 2022.

  1. Aug 2, 2022 at 5:56 PM
    #1
    skootx

    skootx [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #128066
    Messages:
    663
    Gender:
    Male
    Erie, CO
    Vehicle:
    2014 Tacoma TRD Off Road Double Cab Short Bed
    Icon Stage 1 Shocks & coils Deaver AAL Light Racing UCA's PAC SNI-35 line output converters, miniDSP, Rockford Fosgate R600X5, Rockford Fosgate Punch P3 P3SD210, Helix Blue B62C speakers, HELIX Blue B5X 5 speakers G4 Elite Fold A Cover Rear Diff Breather Relocation
    I tried for two hours to lower the spare. I have a key that does not seem to fit the lock. Is there a way to get the spare down without using the lowering mechanism?
     
  2. Aug 2, 2022 at 5:58 PM
    #2
    $yoda$

    $yoda$ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2019
    Member:
    #296087
    Messages:
    1,948
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    Vehicle:
    2007 Tacoma 4.0
    2.5 inch lift, 285/75r16s, upgraded stereo system, Magnuson mp90 supercharger system.
    What key are you talking about?
     
  3. Aug 2, 2022 at 6:00 PM
    #3
    Matt Sierra

    Matt Sierra Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2020
    Member:
    #346723
    Messages:
    220
    Gender:
    Male
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Pro MT
    Maggy SC, C4 Overland front bumper
    Do have some sort of aftermarket lock on it?

    If it’s just stuck, blast the whole assembly with penetrating oil and try again.
     
    Last edited: Aug 2, 2022
  4. Aug 2, 2022 at 6:02 PM
    #4
    Alexely999

    Alexely999 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2016
    Member:
    #175203
    Messages:
    2,157
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Alex
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 DCSB 4X4
    well… a grinder would get it out
     
    Naveronski and Geeves77 like this.
  5. Aug 2, 2022 at 6:03 PM
    #5
    Hook78

    Hook78 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2017
    Member:
    #237571
    Messages:
    6,752
    Gender:
    Male
    Eastern NC
    Vehicle:
    2015 DCSB TRD OR
    Bilstein 6112/5160 Icon RXT
    Are you inserting the end with the hook into the hole between the tailgate and the license plate? Have you inspected the assembly to see if perhaps it’s rusted?
     
  6. Aug 2, 2022 at 6:10 PM
    #6
    skootx

    skootx [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #128066
    Messages:
    663
    Gender:
    Male
    Erie, CO
    Vehicle:
    2014 Tacoma TRD Off Road Double Cab Short Bed
    Icon Stage 1 Shocks & coils Deaver AAL Light Racing UCA's PAC SNI-35 line output converters, miniDSP, Rockford Fosgate R600X5, Rockford Fosgate Punch P3 P3SD210, Helix Blue B62C speakers, HELIX Blue B5X 5 speakers G4 Elite Fold A Cover Rear Diff Breather Relocation
    Last edited: Aug 2, 2022
  7. Aug 2, 2022 at 7:21 PM
    #7
    Dm93

    Dm93 Test Don't Guess

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2015
    Member:
    #150066
    Messages:
    11,307
    Gender:
    Male
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2014 DC OR 6spd 4x4
    Predator tube steps, Ranch Hand grill guard, Magnaflow CatBack exhaust, Toyota tool box & bed mat, 2LO Module by @Up2NoGood, Rearview Compass/Temp Mirror, Tune by @JustDSM.
    It's possible the hole where the key goes is full of dirt, I've had that happen before on those spare tire winches that use a "key" and had to use a long air blower to clean it out.
     
  8. Aug 2, 2022 at 7:22 PM
    #8
    4xdog

    4xdog Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2018
    Member:
    #253074
    Messages:
    1,064
    Gender:
    Male
    Saint Louis MO
    Vehicle:
    03 DC TRD OR, 15 DC TRD OR, 08 RX350, 62 TR3B
    So the "splined" of the shiny rod fits into the socket on the black piece with the small crossbar? Looks awkward, but I've never worked with one of those.

    How does the black piece fit in the normal spare tire winch drive to lock it?

    What drives the shiny rod? Does the normal three-piece crank hook through the hole in it? What's the back end look like? Is that a square drive for one of the crank sections?

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  9. Aug 2, 2022 at 7:36 PM
    #9
    skootx

    skootx [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #128066
    Messages:
    663
    Gender:
    Male
    Erie, CO
    Vehicle:
    2014 Tacoma TRD Off Road Double Cab Short Bed
    Icon Stage 1 Shocks & coils Deaver AAL Light Racing UCA's PAC SNI-35 line output converters, miniDSP, Rockford Fosgate R600X5, Rockford Fosgate Punch P3 P3SD210, Helix Blue B62C speakers, HELIX Blue B5X 5 speakers G4 Elite Fold A Cover Rear Diff Breather Relocation
    The silver piece fits on the end of the hook. Otherwise it's supposedly operates as normal. Here's a picture of how the whole thing is supposed to work.

    Screenshot_20220802-203348.jpg
     
    Jeffvt0508 likes this.
  10. Aug 2, 2022 at 7:48 PM
    #10
    Charlie Bravo

    Charlie Bravo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2021
    Member:
    #383518
    Messages:
    695
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Charlie
    Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2009 Red Tacoma Access Cab 4wd 2.7MT
    RedLine Tuning hood QuickLIFT, Gen3 alloy 16x7J, All Pro Off-road bed stiffeners & IFS skid plate
    I am glad it only fits 2012 and later, since the first reviewer on amaze-on states that he would have skipped that option, as a standard padlock would work better and be more convenient.
    That's the same way I feel about splined lug nuts and computer passwords. Where's the IT guy or the special socket and 1/2"drive breaker bar when you need them?

    Thanks for the reminder to install the 1-1/2" pipe (shortage of that size in PVC, and I didn't want to spend the inflated prices for 10' when the poster said he used 14", so I bought 2 each 12" ABS extension fittings) guide for the jack crank handle and rods. Less fiddling around is good. Lowering the spare to check pressure and check the hoist is on my annual PM list. Preventive Maintenance.
     
    Last edited: Aug 2, 2022
  11. Aug 2, 2022 at 7:49 PM
    #11
    skootx

    skootx [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #128066
    Messages:
    663
    Gender:
    Male
    Erie, CO
    Vehicle:
    2014 Tacoma TRD Off Road Double Cab Short Bed
    Icon Stage 1 Shocks & coils Deaver AAL Light Racing UCA's PAC SNI-35 line output converters, miniDSP, Rockford Fosgate R600X5, Rockford Fosgate Punch P3 P3SD210, Helix Blue B62C speakers, HELIX Blue B5X 5 speakers G4 Elite Fold A Cover Rear Diff Breather Relocation
    I'm livid about this. I posted an ad trying to give that spare tire away after I did the lift and I got no takers. Why are we complicating things over something that is worthless? Figure out how to do this on a catalytic converter and I'm okay.

    Or maybe I should find some crackhead and tell him if he can get the tire off he can have it?
     
  12. Aug 2, 2022 at 8:31 PM
    #12
    GREENBIRD56

    GREENBIRD56 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2014
    Member:
    #136508
    Messages:
    708
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Casper / Tucson
    Vehicle:
    014 Taco 4Dr 4wd
    Any chance of getting that roll pin punched out? I can't imagine you are going to keep this thing........my spare has a hoop through the spokes and a crossmember - and a padlock.

    URL=https://www.tacomaworld.com/media/guide-tube-for-spare-lift.638909/][/URL]

    This is a pipe many have fitted over the years - guides the rod right into the driver.
     
    Key-Rei likes this.
  13. Aug 2, 2022 at 8:47 PM
    #13
    skootx

    skootx [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #128066
    Messages:
    663
    Gender:
    Male
    Erie, CO
    Vehicle:
    2014 Tacoma TRD Off Road Double Cab Short Bed
    Icon Stage 1 Shocks & coils Deaver AAL Light Racing UCA's PAC SNI-35 line output converters, miniDSP, Rockford Fosgate R600X5, Rockford Fosgate Punch P3 P3SD210, Helix Blue B62C speakers, HELIX Blue B5X 5 speakers G4 Elite Fold A Cover Rear Diff Breather Relocation
    This is really helpful. I'm fine with a permanent removal.
     
  14. Aug 3, 2022 at 2:57 AM
    #14
    Raylo

    Raylo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2008
    Member:
    #10878
    Messages:
    1,375
    Gender:
    Male
    MD, USA
    Vehicle:
    2023 Tundra SR5 OffRoad; (2009 Tacoma - sold)
    All stock, except for audio and convenience add-ons
    I have that lock on my 2009 and it works just fine. Looking at your picture the lock socket part seems to stick out way more than mine does which makes me wonder if the thing is fully seated and maybe has come loose from the mechanism. If not fully seated, that would explain why it is spinning. Get under there and see if you can slide it back. I don't recall how these are attached but you may need to adjust it.

    I also found it difficult to get the key part inserted into the socket working blind from the bumper, so I made a 3D printed part that serves as a guide. You don't have to get the thing lined up exactly. The guide takes it right in, like a USAF fighter jet mid-air refueling probe.

    Have a look at the photos at the link below and you will see how this is supposed to set up. The socket part is essentially flush with the frame cross piece, not sticking out like yours. I'd bet it has slid up such that it doesn't engage the shaft on the mechanism.

    Or... if this is how the device is supposed to fit on your year Tacoma perhaps, as another poster mentioned, there is dirt in the socket keeping the tip from engaging. These things will just spin unless you get that tool inserted.

    Toyota Tacoma spare tire crank lock guide by raylo32 - Thingiverse

    Here is just the photo of the lock installed on my truck before I added the 3D printed adapter.

    SpareLock1.jpg

    With 3D Printed guide
    SpareLock3.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2022
    SR-71A likes this.
  15. Aug 3, 2022 at 7:29 AM
    #15
    skootx

    skootx [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #128066
    Messages:
    663
    Gender:
    Male
    Erie, CO
    Vehicle:
    2014 Tacoma TRD Off Road Double Cab Short Bed
    Icon Stage 1 Shocks & coils Deaver AAL Light Racing UCA's PAC SNI-35 line output converters, miniDSP, Rockford Fosgate R600X5, Rockford Fosgate Punch P3 P3SD210, Helix Blue B62C speakers, HELIX Blue B5X 5 speakers G4 Elite Fold A Cover Rear Diff Breather Relocation
    Thanks. The photo I posted isn't actually mine, I can't get my phone in there to take a photo. But from feeling around I think there is a plastic guide.
     
  16. Aug 3, 2022 at 7:48 AM
    #16
    Raylo

    Raylo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2008
    Member:
    #10878
    Messages:
    1,375
    Gender:
    Male
    MD, USA
    Vehicle:
    2023 Tundra SR5 OffRoad; (2009 Tacoma - sold)
    All stock, except for audio and convenience add-ons
    While you are under, take the lock wrench socket piece with you and try to fit it in by hand and see if it doesn't catch and that you can tell it is engaged to the lowering mechanism. If it does, then feed the rod through the bumper, connect it and crank away. Or you could even turn it from under using pliers to grab the socket.
     
    Jimmyh likes this.
  17. Aug 3, 2022 at 2:20 PM
    #17
    skootx

    skootx [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #128066
    Messages:
    663
    Gender:
    Male
    Erie, CO
    Vehicle:
    2014 Tacoma TRD Off Road Double Cab Short Bed
    Icon Stage 1 Shocks & coils Deaver AAL Light Racing UCA's PAC SNI-35 line output converters, miniDSP, Rockford Fosgate R600X5, Rockford Fosgate Punch P3 P3SD210, Helix Blue B62C speakers, HELIX Blue B5X 5 speakers G4 Elite Fold A Cover Rear Diff Breather Relocation
    That did the trick, thanks!
     
    Jimmyh, JGO, Leomania and 1 other person like this.
  18. May 15, 2024 at 10:22 AM
    #18
    cooldad

    cooldad Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2022
    Member:
    #403614
    Messages:
    72
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    JimBob
    Vehicle:
    2021 red TRD Sport
    I have a 2021 TRD Sport. It uses the stupid key (is spare tire theft REALLY a big problem?). I got a valve stem extension from Amazon ($9/2 pack) so I can check the spare without removal. I have a Putco Blade tailgate LED bar (covers the spare removal hole). Putco uses plastic clips for attachment. They say you can just snap the clips loose (of course some will break). Bought an extra set of clips ($30). Hope I don't need them.
     
  19. May 17, 2024 at 6:43 PM
    #19
    O'DubhGhaill

    O'DubhGhaill Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2023
    Member:
    #418561
    Messages:
    107
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2008 Tacoma TRD Sport Access Cab 4.0L V6 VVT-i6spd manual
    Related question: my lowering assembly features a cable, but I see some use a chain?
     
  20. May 18, 2024 at 12:08 AM
    #20
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A Toyota Gigolo

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #288172
    Messages:
    11,531
    Gender:
    Male
    District 6ix
    Vehicle:
    3G Tacoma on 35"s, 5G 4Runner
    ^Yes Toyota changed to a chain circa 2011, in response to incidents where the rusted cable broke and let the spare fall on the road. The chain hoist mechanism is less likely to seize up, too, but the excess chain can rattle against the wheel.

    The cable hoist and chain hoist have different lock part numbers.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top