Lamest question ive ever asked!!!!

[jlindsey]

I have a key, it's rather unnerving when a tire has been slashed at a bar, your drunk and your trying to figure out how the hell to get the spare tire, pissed cause someone slashed it, even more pissed cause you can't drive your baby cause you've had a few too many.

[ABOBB]

Mine requires a key as well.

[Southpaw]

Mine used to need a key until I pulled the lock out.

If anyone needs a new key, go to a dealership that has a master set of keys(there are 15 different ones, that's right yours will probably not fit your buddies truck) Get them to let down your tire and figure out which key they used. Then call McGaurd with that #. That is the company that makes these locks for Ford. You can order a new key through them for $20.

OR....do what I did

Get the dealership to let the tire down. Remove the winch. Remove the lock. Reinstall the winch. Reinstall the tire and never worry about it again.
FYI...The lock just prys out of the end of the winch easy as can be...I have a pic of it removed if anyone wants to see it.

[saxonthebeach]

I'd like to see what it looks like with the lock removed!

[superduty4x4]

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.

[lonuf]

Thats what i did. but i didnt have the key when i bought the truck so i just took the bumper off and got at it with some vice grips. Those keys suck.

[Southpaw]

If this pic works i'll post more...sorry they were from a cell phone. I don't have any pics of the winch with it removed, just the lock removed..

[Southpaw]

Here's some more