Really dumb question

[Wicked_Sludge]

the spair tire holder on the early generation trucks is a joke. one of the single worst designs ford has produced. even when its working smoothly, its combersom, awkward, and difficult to get the spair tire up and down.

mine was so rusted that i ended up cutting the whole thing off and throwing it in the dumpster. my tire resides in my bed. if i need to haul a lot...it stays home

 

[Timo99]

Maybe you should go with a spare tire holder that is on your tailgate, like a Jeep.

 

[therieldeal]

i'll have to pull the spare down and grease the mechanism before the snow hits

 

[Mark_88]

i'll have to pull the spare down and grease the mechanism before the snow hits

That helps...and spray the bar that the tire connects to with a good penetrating oil if you haven't already done so...I had to work the first one back and forth about fifty times before I got it loose...ended up removing the down bracket (just two or three bolts) and replacing the whole thing after sanding and painting with a good rust paint...

It works great once you take care of that...although it is, like WS said, a PITA...

I like the tailgate mounted ones...might do that next spring...

 

[metalmacguyver]

Yeah.... Try lifting a tailgate when it has a 100lb tire hanging from it..........

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

thats essentially what the stock spair tire carrier has you do. only it has you do it while stooping under the back of the truck with rocks and crap digging into your knees...

 

[rangerbum]

Yeah.... Try lifting a tailgate when it has a 100lb tire hanging from it..........

Cheese and Rice!!! Your tires weigh a hundred pounds a piece?

 

[therieldeal]

got the 6 ton jack

...barely fits under the i beam to jack the thing up. might have to go back and get the 2 ton.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

i would...because the beam will be even lower with a flat tire