How to Remove a Spare Tire on a Toyota Tacoma | Step by Step Guide, by Mountain States Toyota on YouTube. 2 min 59 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 59 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Park on flat, solid ground and set the parking brake. Put the truck in park and chock the wheels so it cannot roll while you work underneath.
Open the cab and find the factory tool kit. On most Tacomas it sits behind or under the rear seat, and it holds the jack handle and the lowering rod sections.
Assemble the rod sections and hook them together. Fit the end into the lowering mechanism access point, usually at the rear of the truck near the bumper or under the tailgate.
Turn the rod counterclockwise to unwind the cable. Keep turning until the spare tire drops down and rests on the ground under the truck.
Slide under the truck and look at the retaining cable and bracket holding the wheel. The cable passes through the center of the wheel.
Release the cable from the wheel by tilting the bracket and sliding it out through the center hole. Set the wheel flat on the ground.
To reinstall, lay the spare flat under the truck and feed the bracket back through the wheel center. Make sure the cable is not twisted.
Turn the rod clockwise to raise the wheel until the cable is tight and the tire sits snug against the frame. Give it a firm tug to check it is secure.
Tips and common mistakes
Never crawl under a truck held up only by a jack. The spare lowering system works with the truck on its wheels.
Check the spare's air pressure every few months so it is ready when you need it.
Keep the tool kit in the truck. Without the rod you cannot lower the spare.
If the cable feels stuck, spray a little penetrating oil on the mechanism and work the rod gently rather than forcing it.
Questions
Where are the spare tire tools in a Toyota Tacoma?
They are usually stored in the cab behind or under the rear seat in a tool bag. Look for the jack handle and the rod sections that connect together.
Can I lower the Tacoma spare tire without tools?
No. You need the factory rod and handle to turn the lowering mechanism. Without them the cable will not unwind.
How do I know the spare is secure after reinstalling?
Turn the rod until the cable is tight and the tire sits flat against the frame, then pull on the tire to check it does not move.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
