How to change the spare wheel on a Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger, in its many incarnations, is a very capable off-road machine that lives well in suburbia. The drivetrain is designed to take quite a bit of punishment across all sorts of terrain but even such a competent machine has its failure points, and the wheels and tyres will take the brunt of the work. The factory-supplied all-terrain tyres can handle the load but like many other vehicles in SA are still vulnerable to punctures.
Related: Why does a tyre keep going flat (VIDEO)
Due to its high ground clearance, one may wonder how the Ranger is lifted in order to change out a flat wheel. If you do find yourself with a flat wheel, there is actually a Ford-recommended way of changing the spare out, and we will show you how it's done.
Let's get it done
Ensure you are on safe level ground
Retrieve the toolkit from beneath the rear seat
Assemble the tool from the kit
Use the supplied key to remove the spare wheel lock
Insert the tool into the hole just above the number plate
Locate it in the lowering mechanism
Lower the spare wheel and remove
Use the wheel spanner to undo the wheel nuts
Place the jack under the lifting point on the axle (or front lifting point under chassis for the front wheel)
Use the tool to expand the jack, thereby lifting the vehicle
Change wheel and reverse steps to put everything back
