88 4Runner - Getting the Spare Down

[razorhack96]

I recently bought a 1988 4Runner from a buddy about a month ago. Solid body, fresh engine rebuild but missing lots of parts. And some of that is, well, the bottle jack and all the other spare tire tools that go with it.

I picked up a decently priced set tools and jack off of eBay, but they were for a FJ Cruiser, 4th Gen 4Runner, etc. So, while the lug wrench fits the wheels and the bottle nose jack fits perfectly in the jack holder, still no proper tool to get to that spare tire carrier. I see where the mechanism is to lower it. I just have not found the right tool to get the spare tire carrier mechanism engaged.

Is there a trick to getting the spare tire down? Does it require a particular tool or specific Toyota tool? Are there any tools that can be substituted?

 

[pappy]

Well, first, welcome to our slice of MUD. <- official MUD welcome.

It looks like the tire tools you are looking for might still be available from Toyota. Handle Sub Assembly, 09113-35110. About $85 from a discount dealer. Looks like it includes the handle (09116a), extension (09114), and the crank rod (09115). These are the same tools used to raise and lower the jack.

Are you sure you don't have the jack rod? It's stored in the driver's side rear cubby where you put the jack. It mounts on two clips below the jack.

​

 

[razorhack96]

I was thinking that crank rod (09115) was the magic I needed. Appears Toyota changed the size and shape of that hook at some point. I can also get just 09115 from a discounter dealer. I think the rest of the kit I have (handle and extensions) will work. Anyone able to confirm that?

 

[aztoyman]

I "rigged" one once to get by. The end of the tool is a hook as in the diagram. I just welded a thick washer on the end of a steel rod and spun it down with a drill. It doesn't have to be a hook shape. Just engages a slot in the tire winch unit.

 

[pappy]

I was thinking that crank rod (09115) was the magic I needed. Appears Toyota changed the size and shape of that hook at some point. I can also get just 09115 from a discounter dealer. I think the rest of the kit I have (handle and extensions) will work. Anyone able to confirm that?

The jack tools are also used to lower the spare tire. You need the hook to run the jack and lower the tire. Look in the cubby below the jack.

 

[razorhack96]

Well, first, welcome to our slice of MUD. <- official MUD welcome.

Thanks! Glad to join the 1st Gen Toyota 4Runners anonymous owners society. This is my first deep dive into the 4WD, off-road, overlanding, what ever you call it... world, let alone Toyota's. I had a 2WD Jeep Cherokee with the straight 6 once. Loved it. Seriously thought about another one in 4WD until my buddy said I should look up these 1st Gen 4Runners and he had one to sell. He should not of done that.

 

[razorhack96]

You need the hook to run the jack and lower the tire. Look in the cubby below the jack.

I did, only dirt and some some surface rust down there, on the other side and anywhere else behind the cargo panels of that vehicle. I've gutted the poor thing at this point doing rust checks. Last place to look for rust is on the other side of that tire. So far only one spot of rot on the old girl.

As long a Toyota didn't also change the size of those square connections between the extensions, hook and handle, I should be good as I got the extension and handle from that newer kit.

 

[razorhack96]

Thanks @pappy. I finally got the jack rod after a couple canceled orders and trying alternate suggested part numbers. Ended up getting 09115-35070 by the time it was said and done. It's twice a long as the original jack rod in the kit, but that may be an advantage. Fits the handle from late 2000's jack kit I picked up and finally got the spare tire down. Bad part about all this, shipping was almost as much as the jack rod!