hey guys, i got my 88 4runner a few months ago

does anybody know how to get this damn spare tire off? the spare is pretty much shot becuase its so rusted and i just can't figure out the spring/coil release...any help would be great

thanks!

 

left hand door in the back of the truck where your jack is there should be a rod about 3 feet long with a hook on one end if you still have you Toyota tool kit theres a handle you can attach to the rod theres a hole in the center of your bumper place the rod hook side in the hole may take a few tries to get in the right spot keep turning the rod from time to time until it feels like it is set then crank it down until the tire drops down I think it is counter clockwise turns.

good luck if you need any pics I can post.

 

thankkks im gonna try and do that in the morning when its light out... ill tell you how it goes..

haha

 

It may be that the mechanism is just rusted really bad. The one on my 89 was, I had to use a die-grinder to remove the spare.

 

yeah, i just found that rod that you were talking about and i have all the tools that came with it... im gonna try and get it off tomorrow but it may be too rusted and i might have to take the route you took

 

if you plan on using it again grease the the chain up real well I sprayed mine with PB blaster to get the rust off then sprayed it with a degreaser then painted it with a rust paint then greased it now it comes out easy every time.
I have not had to change the tire but I have had to drop the Aux gas tank.

 

cool thanks