What is the key hole to the right of the License plate in the back?

SubVet

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What is the key hole to the right of the License plate in the back? Comes out but doesn't seem to lock anything
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What is the key hole to the right of the License plate in the back? Comes out but doesn't seem to lock anything
Access hole for spare tire lowering jack.......
 

beetlespin

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Keep it lubricated especially in the northeast or it will lock up. Happened on my 2011 F-150.
 

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What is the key hole to the right of the License plate in the back? Comes out but doesn't seem to lock anything
Was just thinking this exact same thing! Guess it makes sense to use the key so someone can't come up and steal your spare tire from your truck!
 


DIYAndy

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Access hole for spare tire lowering jack.......
In the owners manual (version 2) it does not mention this access hole lock when changing out a tire with the spare tire - what trim model do you have?
 

Dan Kobler

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In the owners manual (version 2) it does not mention this access hole lock when changing out a tire with the spare tire - what trim model do you have?
Mine has it on the XLT.
 

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It is a key hole shaped hole not a lock.
 

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You guys got my curiosity up, so I went down to my truck and checked it out. It actually is a lock. You insert your key and turn it to remove a plug that fills the access hole. Then you insert the jack handle at an angle towards the center line of the truck to reach the lowering crank. If you shine your light in the hole, you'll see a whitish plastic funnel to guide the handle to the connecting point since it is at a sharp angle.
 
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My F-150 has a cap over the key hole to protect it from dirt but there is no rubber o ring to prevent moisture from getting in.
 

MT19RANGER

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You guys got my curiosity up, so I went down to my truck and checked it out. It actually is a lock. You insert your key and turn it to remove a plug that fills the access hole. Then you insert the jack handle at an angle towards the center line of the truck to reach the lowering crank. If you shine your light in the hole, you'll see a whitish plastic funnel to guide the handle to the connecting point since it is at a sharp angle.
Pickups have had that set up for years, in the beginning, it was just an open hole and the spare tires would at times get stolen because all you needed was a long jack handle. But now there's the keyed lock in the hole which works.
 

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Hi,

I have reviewed the Owner's manual and cannot find any mention of the keyed access hole that is needed to insert the jack handle into the winch in order to lower the spare tire. The hole on my step bumper is blocked by a lock that requires the fob key (actual key inserted into the fob). I can find no mention in the owners manual and think this is maybe a glaring error on the part of the Ford employee that has sign-off responsibility for the Ranger Owner's manual.

When I was head of Ranger Vehicle Engineering for the last 5 years of my career way back in 2002, I had sign-off responsibility for the Owner's Manual, and would caught flak from inside the company, dealers and owners if there were any errors...That is why I read the book 4 or 5 times...

Anyone found this lock and wondered what it is....maybe only on Lariat?

Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. - Retired
 

MT19RANGER

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Hi,

I have reviewed the Owner's manual and cannot find any mention of the keyed access hole that is needed to insert the jack handle into the winch in order to lower the spare tire. The hole on my step bumper is blocked by a lock that requires the fob key (actual key inserted into the fob). I can find no mention in the owners manual and think this is maybe a glaring error on the part of the Ford employee that has sign-off responsibility for the Ranger Owner's manual.

When I was head of Ranger Vehicle Engineering for the last 5 years of my career way back in 2002, I had sign-off responsibility for the Owner's Manual, and would caught flak from inside the company, dealers and owners if there were any errors...That is why I read the book 4 or 5 times...

Anyone found this lock and wondered what it is....maybe only on Lariat?

Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. - Retired
Page 301, it does mention to stick the handle in the guide hole, but there is no mention of the key/lock cover in the hole. I'm not sure it's standard to have the key/lock cover on all vehicles.
upload_2019-4-4_13-47-42.png
 

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SEZ this in the brochure...
"Jack, Spare wheel, and tire, with lock and rear under frame carrier"
 

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I might have missed this in the manual and a search came up blank.

I've got the trailer package and I assume it's related to this but there's key hole to the right of the license plate.
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