I apologize in advance for the simplicity of this question.......I have an '89 4Runner & want to remove the spare tire from underneath the back end. I have the "long hook" used to unwind it. Is there any "special procedure" I should be aware of before trying this? Thanks!

 

slide hook through hole above bumper, attach hook to loop on tire "lowerer" (for lack of better word) spin hook. lower tire. IMPORTANT! spin hook in opposite direction to raise tire cable back up to correct position. replace hook...wherever it came from in a 4 runner.

 

owners manual

 

yep very simple unless you dont have the hook i learned the hard way

 

Also a good chance its rusted to hell and you'll need to soak it in some penetrating lube to get it to move.

 

pretty sure its been a few years since mines been used ill have to try it 2morrow

 

For a truck in a snow area I findit funny mine came right off with ease.

 

Thanks guys; the tire came out with ease! The pic from the owner's manual was spot on......

Speaking of the owner's manual - anyone have an electronic copy for the 1st Gen 4Runner - or know where to find one?

 

Hi, Guys.
Thanks for the rad forum. I've used it so far to figure out how to remove a pinion seal and now my spare. In case you don't have the handle for the "S" bar, use a 12mm wrench at the end and a cheater bar. It worked like a charm for me for both breaking the tire free and for the jack.

Peace

 

I lowered mine......then took it off.

 

When I bought my truck it was missing this bar, apparently searching junk yards might be futile as well as it is a common missing part. Is it easy to fab one of these up?

 

Alas I tried to move mine to no avail. I think I will end up cutting mine out of there to remove the spare....

 

It's a cute little harmonic device, neat to see how it works.

Mine was cute enough to have rusted enough to jam full and not possibly turn at all. I fabbed a huge wrench to turn the input and was about to start breaking things.

I managed to undo the two horizontal braces the tire tightens against, which let me swing the tire forward enough to get a pair of bolt cutters in there and cut the chain.

I've cleaned out the mechanism, and completely filled it with grease. It'll probably work great if I ever get around to putting back on.

 

Hey there eveyone thanks for the site. I need to be able to get my spare tire off without the tool, cant find one and not spending 90$ on one....isn't there any other tool I can use? My mechanic used a big-ass screwdriver but I'm not buying one of those either- too expensive. What if anything has anybody used? I will be driving my baby across the country in a bit and want to be prepared. thanks in advance.
....tried to attach picture, did it work?

 

Go back to your mechanic and have him lower it and out the tire in the bed.

 

I can do that but I am moving and need all the space I can get in the back, plus need to get to the tire if I get a flat. thanks but I'm looking for alternative cheaper version of the actual tool itself and to see if anyone had any luck with anything.

 

At some point you are going to need to spend $20 for something to lower the tire. The long screw driver is about the cheapest alternative to finding the j rod.

 

Harbor Freight, $8.99 for two. You can get them mail order if you don't have a store nearby. Alternately you can post a wanted in the classifieds here for the Toyota tool.




http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece...set-34253.html

 

thanks to both of you, i didnt realize the long screwdriver would be that inexpensive, the flat head does need to be a bit bulkier than what is shown here but its gives me a good idea. thanks. love the forum. Just changed shocks and repacked wheel bearings for the long trip. My baby has been stolen and totaled but I keep getting her fixed and she keeps on tickin! thx!

 

Just get some steel rod, weld a flat piece of metal to the end that fits the slot the hook goes into, then put a Z bend into the handle side. It wouldnt collapse like the OEM one but i bet its cheap if you have any scrap metal