Spare lowering jack piece alternative????

[JJD0087]

So I took my spare off yesterday to run some wiring for some reverse light pods I installed yesterday on my 2011. Lowering the spare was a *****, it was like the piece of the jack kit kept slipping off the nut that spins the small cable crank under the truck. While getting the tire off was a pain, getting it back on was impossible. It kept slipping since I was fighting gravity and the weight of the heavy ass spare tire. I took a look at the piece of the jack kit and the ****** pot metal thing is almost completely round and stripped out. I tried beating it back square with a hammer but no dice. So I threw the spare in the bed and hand cranked the thing up. I bought my truck used, so I don't know if it is the factory kit.

I know I can buy a whole new jack kit, but I don't want to spend the money since I carry an 8 ton bottle jack, stands, and a breaker bar, in the truck anyway. Does anyone know of a way to lower and raise the spare with out the kit? Maybe a socket on a long extension or something?

 

[JJD0087]

Seriously?? I am the only one that this has ever happened to?

 

[Burla]

Holy crap, you carry 8 ton bottle jack, stands, and a breaker bar, in the truck?

Here, 30 bucks at tractor supply.



They have after market bumper or maybe even something coming from a trailer hitch that you can relocate the spare tire. Use your scizzor jack to jack the tire back into place? Dunno, when I get some time I might see how hard it is to deal with the spare since u brought it up.

 

[Burla]

Something like this if you don't want to carry it in the bed.

Looks like this is a hitch mount re-locator. Might have to relocate lisc plate.





I'm with you though, these tires are F'n heavy, even stock. The other thing you could do it get a lighter 1/2 spare that would just get you to a shop as opposed to having a regular tire down there.

 

[JJD0087]

Something like this if you don't want to carry it in the bed.

Looks like this is a hitch mount re-locator. Might have to relocate lisc plate.





I'm with you though, these tires are F'n heavy, even stock. The other thing you could do it get a lighter 1/2 spare that would just get you to a shop as opposed to having a regular tire down there.

I appreciate the insight and while these all seem like fairly viable options, I really just want to get the tire back where it belongs. I just need to find something to spin the crank with as the piece that came with the truck is stripped out. I will mess with it this weekend if it doesn't snow again. I am thinking that a 1/2" extension should work.

Yea I always carry the jack, stands, and breaker. I don't have a garage and I live in an apartment, so I use the warehouse at work on the weekends to work on the truck. I only use them for the truck, so it just made good sense to leave them in there. IDK I guess I'm just lazy.

 

[lonewolf2873]

Ok so what piece is stripped out, the piece under the truck or jack handle you use to turn?

 

[smurfs_of_war]

I suspect it's that tinfoil jack handle- mine did the same thing. Rounded right out first time I used it. Thankfully I still had my old one laying around from my F150 and just threw it in there.

 

[lonewolf2873]

Ok so the easiest is to tack weld a eight point socket on shaft In 3/8 drive. Carry a long 3/8 drive extension in truck.

 

[JJD0087]

Ok so the easiest is to tack weld a eight point socket on shaft In 3/8 drive. Carry a long 3/8 drive extension in truck.

Thank you everyone for the help. It was in fact the piece of crap jack handle that is rounded out. I should have been more specific with the way i worded my question.

 

[Ghengis_Khandrey]

Mine did the same thing. The 3/8 trick is good to know!
Thanks!

 

[Ross-e]

OP: did you find a solution?
I know that spare tire carrier very well (actually work for the company that makes it) and I can answer any additional questions.
As you said, the jack extension handle is stripped. The winch has a square shaft that fits inside the tube so you can turn it.

 

[moparpeetie]

jack handle is a ****