Is there a forum for blonds?

[skygoddess]

Sorry to be so clueless, but I bought a 78 Chevy Cheyenne, and I can't figure out how to get the spare off. I drove it home but then the tire went flat, dry rot I suppose. There is a long bolt that looks like a b, it looks as if it should turn and then the bracket holding the tire should be opened. The truck is parked over a mud puddle so it would be helpful to know what I was trying to do before I crawl under there. Someone told me there was a hole for a crank but for the life of me, I can not see one. Much obliged for any and all help.

[kcsa75]

Sorry, I can't help you with your problem, but wanted to welcome you to the forum. I'm sure some of the guys more familar with the square bodies will jump in here soon.

Good luck.

[old Rusty C10]

this is a picture of what is SUPPOUSED to be under there if you have the nut with the hole on it as pictured on the right you can stick a handle in there and turn it down that way if its a regular nut you're stuck with some sort of wrench good luck

[skygoddess]

Thanks Bob, yes it looks like mine, only mine has a tire. Is there any thing I need to unfasten on the oposite end of the bracket? Also , sorry for my ignorance, but does it need to be cranked down, or am I aiming to just pry the bracket loose?

[MusicMan70]

Welcome skygodddess,

Like Ol Rusty C10 said, you can put something in there to turn it and you shouldn't have to loosen the other bolt.

Just turn it till the tire starts to lower and when it get's loose, push up on the tire and work the Bolt/Key out of the hole. It will be heavy so be careful.

[skygoddess]

Thanks!

[cool68]

good info, poor factory design.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by cool68

.... poor factory design.

Why do you say that?

K

[Cherub]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Why do you say that?

K

LOL

[Rich84]

Struck A nerve..

[KrazyRay]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Why do you say that?

K

I think those tire carriers are designed to smash your hands when the carrier gets loose from the all thread. I took a guy to the hospital when it happened to him. He lost his pinky finger. Those in bed carriers are much safer. They go really well with red trucks

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by KrazyRay

Those in bed carriers are much safer. They go really well with red trucks

LOL. I see what you did there...

Originally Posted by Rich84

Struck A nerve..

I seek to understand.

My counterpoint was going to be: it was inexpensive, got the job done, as evidenced by the fact it was used on roughly 15 million units - and - has the keyed "quick release" feature (yay). Those buyers offended by this design could step up and get the P11 "glide out" spare tire carrier. The primary downside is that it is under the truck, which is not the fault of the carrier itself - and - is easily remedied by selecting the "P13" bed mount option, as mentioned above.



Sidebar: I've installed a few (hundred) of those myself, as that operation was done in my area immediately after body drop. On really high absentee days (snow days or deer season or whatever) if that particular operator was absent at the beginning of the shift I (as the area supervisor) would sometimes hop down in the pit and do that job myself. I'd stay there until he showed up or until one of my other hourly employees could take over.

K

[Rich84]

I figured you probably designed it..lol

Only 15 million of them out there..And I don't even have a spare tire.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Rich84

I figured you probably designed it..lol

(lol) - nope, that one was done a little bit before my designing days...

Originally Posted by skygoddess

Sorry to be so clueless, but I bought a 78 Chevy Cheyenne, and I can't figure out how to get the spare off. I drove it home but then the tire went flat, dry rot I suppose. There is a long bolt that looks like a b, it looks as if it should turn and then the bracket holding the tire should be opened. The truck is parked over a mud puddle so it would be helpful to know what I was trying to do before I crawl under there. Someone told me there was a hole for a crank but for the life of me, I can not see one. Much obliged for any and all help.

Welcome, btw.

You should call my buddy Mark and have him come over and change it for you.

K