Found mysterious keyhole

[mattpresley]

I found a keyhole in the middle of the space between my tailgate and back bumper. What the hell is it for? Does it lock the tailgate maybe. I tried sticking my key in there but its kinda jammed so i didn't bother. its kinda hidden so i never noticed it before today.

 

[cdotson86]

Its for the release of the spare tire. You stick the rod from the kit behind the seat in there and it cranks the spare tire down

 

[Frank The Tank]

Bet your glad ya asked now huh!!! LOL
kinda like the fuel reset.... darn handy when ya need the knowledge.

Frank

 

[mattpresley]

Its for the release of the spare tire. You stick the rod from the kit behind the seat in there and it cranks the spare tire down

Appreciate that man, haven't had a flat yet but if the release wasn't discovered I would have a really really bad day someday

 

[mattpresley]

Bet your glad ya asked now huh!!! LOL
kinda like the fuel reset.... darn handy when ya need the knowledge.

Frank

i don't know what a fuel reset is. how sad is that. I need to learn now that my trucks coming up on 120K

 

[Frank The Tank]

It's a switch that if you have an accident, or hit a jolt (or if it just kicks randomly/more often than not the case)

It's a feature to keep your truck from pumping fuel in case of a fire (I believe)

you reset it and drive on.

Frank

 

[chico4554]

i dont know how well mine works cause ive never had it trip while wheeling, and i used to wheel her hard.

 

[Jay FX4]

When I first got my Ranger, I used that little tool kit/jack it came with to take down the spare - just for practice. I'd recommend doing the same, so you don't have to screw around and "learn" how to do it at midnight on the side of the road. Be prepared.....

 

[Frank The Tank]

I cut my spare tire off with a torch, then welded up dual exhaust on my 97 (our trucks are identical btw) Mine is blacked out a tad more than yours though. looks great against the white but she's no-where near as sharp as yours these days (been retired to a life of work truck, and farmland!!!)

I have a spare and a toolbox that just slide around the bed.

Frank

 

[dogboy]

My Ranger must be different than the ones described... Mines a 93, but it doesn't have any type of crank mechanism. It just has a pivot in the back, with an arm the tire sits on, and a bolt holding it up, in the back. Undo the bolt and the arm/ tire swing to the ground. Is that just the style that older trucks have?


Also the above mentioned fuel shut off, is just that. It is located on the passenger's side on the floor, up under the dash, kinda. Mine was RIGHT where the carpet stops, but about half under the carpet. It's maybe an inch or two, by an inch or two, with a little button on the top (pushed in for normal apperation, and it pops up when it has been tripped).
It is supposed to only trip when you are in an accident, but if you have a passenger with very active feet, they may trip it as well. Or coming down hard on a rock while wheeling might trip it as well.

 

[5speedin2.3]

Ford changed the spare tire mount in 98.

 

[JohnnyO]

My '99 Ranger had a lock like yours for the spare tire, it keeps people from stealing it. My '02 Ranger came without one. I got both trucks brand new.
On my Rangers and Sport Tracs I take the spare tire out and flip it around so the valve stem faces down so I can check the air once in a while. I suppose the way the factory puts them it keeps the valve stem from getting broken by a rock but then you can't check the air without removing the tire.

 

[mattpresley]

When I first got my Ranger, I used that little tool kit/jack it came with to take down the spare - just for practice. I'd recommend doing the same, so you don't have to screw around and "learn" how to do it at midnight on the side of the road. Be prepared.....

I may just do that today. damn good advise. i drive to san diego a lot(family) so its good to know how before im flat on the mountain incline on I8.

 

[kunar]

I may just do that today. damn good advise. i drive to san diego a lot(family) so its good to know how before im flat on the mountain incline on I8.

i think theres a special key for it though, not just your door key. if i remember, its a key thats like 3-4" long. i dont know where it would be in the truck though, maybe by the jack?

 

[mattpresley]

i think theres a special key for it though, not just your door key. if i remember, its a key thats like 3-4" long. i dont know where it would be in the truck though, maybe by the jack?

I'll check! The key wont go in the hole(sounds odly sexy) so i assume theres one in the jack compartment