How to remove spare tire

I got a flat on the front Passenger door , I jacked up my truck and removed the tire but am having trouble on how to remove the spare tire underneath the truck.

Thanks.

 

Your wheel removal kit builds to be a tool to lower it, there is a slot near your rear license plate that you stick that fully assembled rod into and lower it, if you get under the rear you will see where it grabs into to lower the tire... it's very simple.

 

Just crawl under there and you'll see. The chain slips through the center of the wheel

 

http://www.ttguide.net/if_you_have_a_flat_tire-148.html

 

Well OP, you've been viewing this thread for a hot minute. Did you figure it out?

 

Wow! Unbelievable.

When all else fails read the instructions ( owners manual ).

 

I got it, thanks guys it took me a while to find the whole because I had extra break lights covering the whole near the tailgate .

Thanks a lot!!

 

I know this is an old thread but figured I would add a tidbit for other new Tacoma owners. The hook on the rod doesn't actually hook on anything. There is a cup the shape of the hook above the spare which the hook slides into / up against. I must have spent 20 minutes trying to hook an eye screw before just trusting the instructions and simply turn the shaft when I felt resistants. Also, there is a plastic retainer clip from the factory that will brake the when you first turn it so you need to put some muscle into getting it started.

 

I would encourage people to simply check it prior to a road trip and make sure it has air as well.

Good shops like mine will top them up with a special chuck, but we never really use the mechanism.

 

Pulled the spare out of my 2000 4Runner, 0 psi. Had to use pliers to get the cap off the stem. Next time I replace the tires that old one will be going.

 

What about your dad making you practice putting the spare on in the driveway when you got your learner's permit? Is that still a thing?

 

No because most dads can’t check their tire pressure, let alone swap a tire out

 

The more I help people fix simple repairs on thier vehicles or motorcycles, the more I realize I've taken all the skills/knowledge I conciously and subconciously learned from my father over the years for granted. The way motorized things work or how they most likely should work comes pretty second nature at this point.
I've fairly recenly taken the drivers courses in California (2012), and I definitely think that there should be morebasic "emergency" or maintenence instructional parts to getting a permit.

 

Literally first thing I did after getting it was drop the spare so I knew how to do it in the dark.

 

In the 80s the Tacoma didn't exist and the tool used to drop the spare was a gigantic flathead crowbar. Maybe I'm the only one that figured a hooked tool should hook on something, least that's what my dad taught me.

 

It does hook onto something... The Bottle Jack crank...

 

Correct....Maybe check with your grandpa. Dad's aren't what they used to be.

 

and another thing, you should lower it at least once a year and grease the chain, cable and mechanism. i've actually had to have someone hang from the wheel from underneath while trying to turn the mechanism to free the wheel. especially if you're in a salt use area like i am

 

Regarding the spare.
I've owned pickups for almost 30 years.
I only had to crawl around in slush once before I moved the spare into the bed.
I got my Tacoma less than 2 weeks ago and that was the first thing I did.
I will be adding a cable with lock.

 

Or a camper shell