Without the lock in there it's just a rectangular slot, about 3/8" by 5/8" or so. My early 99 didn't have a lock on it, and getting the let-down tool to "bite" was a pain because it wanted to slip. My spare tire winch gave up the ghost, and I got one from an 02 with a key and plan to leave it that way. If you get in a bind and yours is slipping like mine did, a 3/8" ratchet drive fits in there and won't slip- you could probably jimmy one on the end of the factory tool some how to get the tire down.