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Lower spare tire with Tailgate down - camper installed in bed

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by BlueMoon, Apr 3, 2021.

  1. Apr 3, 2021 at 12:36 PM
    #1
    BlueMoon

    BlueMoon [OP] New Member

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    2003 Toyota Tundra Limited 4x4:

    Can you remove/ lower the spare tire while the tail gate is open???? My 4 Wheel Camper - Hawk sits ON the tailgate. I can not get the rod tools through the bumper hole with the tailgate down. Is there another way to lower the spare tire? Is there a different tool or access point?

    I really like the tailgate down as it gives you a platform walking out the camper door to get onto the step stool to climb down.

    Any help for option would be great. I want to store the spare where it is as it does not take space away for camping gear.
     
  2. Apr 3, 2021 at 12:44 PM
    #2
    FrenchToasty

    FrenchToasty The Desert rat, 6 lug enthusiast

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    You might have to make a custom extension, but you should still be able to see/access the mechanism from under the truck, but it might be tight squeeze.
    You won’t be able to use the long extension but maybe just the first hook part and see if you can turn it from under the truck forward of the rear bumper
     
  3. Apr 3, 2021 at 12:44 PM
    #3
    frichco228

    frichco228 Valued Member

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    Just lowered my spare the other day to install DD resonator. The issue you may have is the rods that snap together and are used to lower the spare use another rod to form a lever so you can raise or lower the spare, and if the tailgate was down that lever would hit the tailgate. If you had a Batt powered impact gun or drill, I get you could figure out a way to use that instead of the lever and it may work. Either way it will be tight. I would just try it with the tailgate down and see how much room you have. It is quick and easy to test, just a couple minutes.
     
  4. Apr 3, 2021 at 1:09 PM
    #4
    BlueMoon

    BlueMoon [OP] New Member

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    Thanks, good ideas. When tailgate is down you cannot use the factory tools as the tailgate sheet metal is in the way and would dent and mar the paint on the tailgate; bad angle. Will have to check the length of the rod that attaches to the spare tire mechanism as it is made long enough to go through the access hole. Maybe a shorter "tool" rod would work? Will have to try it but need to get a donor tool and cut to see if a drill with right angle coupler can fit in underneath the truck to screw the spare tire down with a shorter rod?

    Any other ideas?

    For the las two(2) years we used it with truck tailgate down and had the nice platform. At the time I did not know that I did not have access to the spare tire. If I had a flat, that would have been a bummer as I do not carry the four(4) corner jacks for the camper as it is another 100 pounds.
     
  5. Apr 3, 2021 at 1:19 PM
    #5
    FrenchToasty

    FrenchToasty The Desert rat, 6 lug enthusiast

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    With the camper in, will the tailgate not shut?
    All the “work” end of the tool, is just a flat bar that goes into a socket basically, measure and mock up some flat stock welded onto a rod if your Capable
     
  6. Apr 3, 2021 at 1:24 PM
    #6
    BlueMoon

    BlueMoon [OP] New Member

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    Correct, tailgate will not shut. Camper overlaps onto tailgate by about 6 inches giving the residual walk-out platform. Will get some measurements. Thanks and will let you know what can fit in underneath.
     
    FrenchToasty likes this.
  7. Apr 3, 2021 at 1:49 PM
    #7
    jimf909

    jimf909 Battery almost dead...

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    Dead stock with oem 16" starfish wheels. We'll see how long that lasts. :) Topper of unknown origin.
    This is a bit of a puzzle. Access to the hoist is below the bottom of the bed and above the spare tire. You'd need an extension hook tool (if you don't have the security hoist that uses a tool like a security lug nut) that reaches the hoist but terminates between the tire tread and the body of the pick-up. The non-hook end could terminate in a shape/size that would fit a socket that you'd put on a ratchet and ratchet away to lower the tire. Of course you have to somehow get out of the way of the descending tire.

    Getting fancier, weld a 1/2" drive u-joint to the hook receiver part of the hoist, get a 24" or 36" 1/2" drive extension, drills a hole in the bumper behind the license plate and reach the hoist through that hole with the extension. That's brilliant unless there's a gigantic frame member behind the bumper in that spot.

    When I bought my truck I removed the tire w/out using the hoist because it was rusted solid. But that required letting the air out of the spare, two jacks and a BFH. The PO went 17 years and 200K miles with only one flat and that was probably 10-15 years ago.

    Regardless, you get bonus points if you work this into your solution.:rofl: Let us know what you come up with.

    https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-Ra...aukee+1/2"+ratchet&qid=1617482806&s=hi&sr=1-3
    upload_2021-4-3_13-48-53.jpg
     
  8. Apr 3, 2021 at 1:57 PM
    #8
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

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    By hand it’s difficult but doable.

    You’d have to crawl under the truck and not use the extensions to the tool. You’d also have to only do 1/2 turns, pull the tool out, reseat it and do it again. Huge PIA. Better to use a power tool.
     
  9. Jul 25, 2021 at 1:22 PM
    #9
    rodgepodge

    rodgepodge New Member

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    2017 Tundra Crewmax---removed license plate and notched out a little access (but could still do it without notching out as there are two existing "notches" on each side of the center attachment area for the plastic license plate mount trim) spot on the thin metal where the plastic portion of the license plate mount/bumper trim attaches. Could easily sneak the tool in there just over the spare tire and engage with the actuator that lowers the spare, all with the tailgate down the entire time. I'm about to be a Tundra/Hawk owner with tailgate down to support the camper, too---so this was something I knew would result in sleepless nights if no solution. For my 2017 Crewmax this is working just fine, even if a bit janky. Good luck to others if different model years involve different solutions.

    IMG_2493.jpg
    IMG_2492.jpg
    IMG_2495.jpg
     
    biebs96 and FrenchToasty like this.
  10. Jul 25, 2021 at 6:41 PM
    #10
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

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    This would be the solution if the room exists on the first Gen. I bet it will work.
     
  11. Jul 26, 2021 at 8:52 AM
    #11
    Strangebird22

    Strangebird22 New Member

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