How to remove spare tire

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?

 

What key are you talking about?

 

Do have some sort of aftermarket lock on it?

If it’s just stuck, blast the whole assembly with penetrating oil and try again.

 

well… a grinder would get it out

 

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?

 

Here is the lock and key. I bought the truck new and it came this way. Yes, I am using everything as instructed. The hook does not work until the lock is off. It's not stuck. The key engages but just spins.

$49 Genuine Toyota Accessories PT276-34071 Spare Tire Lock for Select Tacoma and Tundra Models, Silver

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Toyo...gid=pla-492477295409&ref=&adgrpid=62497261659

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.

 

This is really helpful. I'm fine with a permanent removal.

 

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.



With 3D Printed guide

 

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.

 

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.

 

That did the trick, thanks!

 

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.

 

Related question: my lowering assembly features a cable, but I see some use a chain?

 

^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.