NOOB Q... Where the &@*# is the Tire Iron?

[jb3t]

Dumb, total noob question. I have a 1978 C-10 big 10 pick up. Was cleaning the wheels today when the valve stem's decided to give way. Brittle as hell. So, I put the truck up on jackstands and went to take off the tires and lo and behold… I can't find the darn tire iron. I'm wondering if I'm missing something or just not there.

Can anybody tell me where the tire iron is typically located? In the engine compartment on the pass side inner fender is the original jack and the jack handle (looks like it's 6ft long) but no sign of the iron. Little help?

Thanks.

[Eraser475]

My Iron is on the passenger side inner fender along with the jack on my 82. I can't remember, but my Lug wrench might even be my jack handle also.

[jb3t]

Yeah… No luck. The jack handle on the 78 is only a quarter inch thick. Long and Thin. Definitely does not have the wrench at the end.

[E.D.75GMC]

My 75 has it clamped in along the inside of the pass. Fender, you can kind of see it here. yours may have been removed at some point and never put back

[E.D.75GMC]

Here

[oneday1]

Yep...should be with the rest of the group. Someone must've forgotten to put it back.

[enaberif]

Either someone forgot to put it back or like in many other trucks I've owned its come loose and bounced out.

[jb3t]

Thanks everyone... It's gone. Gonna have to buy one. The iron from my other cars do not quite fit. Looks like it's 13/16.

Just making sure I was not looking in the right place.

[andrewmp6]

Just buy you a 4 way lug wrench and keep it in your garage.

[cadillac_al]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Just buy you a 4 way lug wrench and keep it in your garage.

or under the seat. That's where I keep mine.

[bnoon]

I'm actually REALLY REALLY surprised when I DO find one still on the inner fender. The '76 I just bought a few weeks ago and call Red Ryder has it still there and I popped the hood and said "Holy $#?~! I've never seen one of those there before!" Doesn't even look like the thing has ever been out either (no scuffs of any kind). If they're still with the truck I usually find them behind the seat in the package tray or thrown in the bed. Never seen one at a salvage yard either.

[old yelr]

I keep a 1/2" drive breaker bar and appropriate socket behind my seat. If the lugs have been on there for a long time I've found the factory lug wrench can be less than useful.

[tucsonjwt]

Tire iron does fit under a flat clamp on the passenger side inner fender well. Buy a 4 way lug wrench and keep it under your seat so it doesn't bang around while driving.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by old yelr

I keep a 1/2" drive breaker bar and appropriate socket behind my seat. If the lugs have been on there for a long time I've found the factory lug wrench can be less than useful.

x2.

K

[Bigstevex4]

Big 4 way in the Bed small town its safe

[tucsonjwt]

Big town - it's gone.

[jb3t]

Confirmed... It's gone.

I'm restoring my Rally Wheels and had a $&@; of a time getting the RR wheel off. All other tire irons did not fight quite right. Was rounding lug nuts. So, went and bought a heavy duty 13/16 socket with 3" extension, sprayed some lube on the lug, and pounded with a hammer. Bastard came loose.

The hour I wasted caused me to miss my painting window. Started to rain. I was on a roll too.

[HBlue]

Thanks for the thread.
I just found that the tire iron is missing on one of mine.
I've seen a couple laying around the barn somewhere.
Maybe one will work; but the 4 way lug wrench is the way to go.
Just leave it under the seat.