Removing Spare Tire Winch Anti-Theft Key

[BoneCollector]

Saw a post whereby someone was looking to remove the anti-theft bud/tulip/lock on their spare tire winch. Despite cleaning mine annually, the tulip started to strip as the tire approached the top, making it very difficult to snug it up. At least the tire comes down, but going up it was starting to rattle/bounce around. The last thing we need is to have spare tire removal issues when we need it most.

Anyway, here are some pics on how to remove the anti-theft part and just use the hook tool in your tool kit in the existing slot. ie, go back to a non-anti-theft. Stick it in a vise.....Pic 1. Remove the plastic guard with a pair of Vise-Grips...it's just a slip fit. Take your Vise Grips and grab the cylinder/housing that contains the bud/tulip/lock...give it a good yank....it is just press fit in/has a light retainer set up....I just wiggled mine and gave it a good hard yank and it came out. Some one posted that they had to grind it out, others mentioned giving it a wack with a hammer...it just slips in, pulls out.

If you want to replace it, just press in a new one.

The gravel roads in my area have flour dust on them......it turns to gumbo snot in the rain, but when it is dry, it is super fine and gets into everything...ie, like filling the tulip, so once you slip with the tool due to build up of dust, it starts to strip.

 

[phatdragon]

Out of curiosity what does the tool look like that fits the anti-theft portion of the winch?

 

[Jerlit]

Any ideas on how to get the spare down if you don't have the key for the anti-theft lock? My '04 LC didn't come with a tool kit so I ordered one for a 2005 thinking the key was universal. However, it doesn't fit. Suggestions??

 

[Dwight S]

Out of curiosity what does the tool look like that fits the anti-theft portion of the winch?

You probably already figured it out, but the tool looks like a socket with an anti-theft insert that matches up to the head at the spare tire.

Any ideas on how to get the spare down if you don't have the key for the anti-theft lock? My '04 LC didn't come with a tool kit so I ordered one for a 2005 thinking the key was universal. However, it doesn't fit. Suggestions??

You'll have to get under the truck and physically unbolt the winch carrier that holds the spare tire up. I believe there are two bolts on each side.

 

[boca1]

Any ideas on how to get the spare down if you don't have the key for the anti-theft lock? My '04 LC didn't come with a tool kit so I ordered one for a 2005 thinking the key was universal. However, it doesn't fit. Suggestions??

dealer should have a universal key like they have for the wheel locks

 

[LandBruiser99]

Without this post, we couldn't make moved any further. I feel inclined to add another picture to this removal because this thread got me and the Toyota Dealership through with this relic wheel lock. Toyota Dealership got to removing the crossmember and spare wheel carrier with the spare tire out of the way. They couldn't figure out the rest with the lock. I took it home to diagnose and it's all because of the serrated lock washers. A fine center punch and a hammer was to strike off the lock washers. Out it came! Bending and reshaping the funnel became the aftermath from trying to figure it out.