brocktice
New member
My used 1994 4Runner didn't come with an owner's manual, and neither the Haynes book nor the FSM told me how to lower it.
Here it is for your reference.
You will need a long rod with a hook on the end of it. This appears to be designed to store under the back seats. If you pull the release tabs and flip up the bottom of the seats, hopefully it will be there. There are little clips to hold it in place, but I accidentally found mine where some previous owner had left it right by where the rear lap belts attach to the body. You will also need another piece that has a square hole in it and is bent like an "L". The square hole fits on to the end of the long rod with a hook. I appear to have an extension also, but I don't think it's strictly necessary.
There should be an oblong slot in the rear bumper, around the middle. You are supposed to pass the hook through this slot. I know you're confused because it's a hook, but it will actually slot into a little piece that's up underneath, just behind and above the tailpipe. I think it's hooked so you can pull the winch cable out to get easier access to the tire once lowered. You should be able to find this piece by following a connecting rod from up above the spare wheel/tire to a little gearbox.
Once you've slotted it in (I find it way easier to do this laying under the rear bumper on the driver's side), you can attach the handle (with extension if desired) and crank it counter-clockwise to lower. To put it back, just repeat in reverse until the spring on the tire bracket is fully compressed.
Questions or comments welcome. FWIW mine was pretty dirty and maybe rusty, being 20 years old, so I sprayed some WD-40 on and let it sit for 10 minutes to loosen. Later I'll lubricate it properly.
Here it is for your reference.
You will need a long rod with a hook on the end of it. This appears to be designed to store under the back seats. If you pull the release tabs and flip up the bottom of the seats, hopefully it will be there. There are little clips to hold it in place, but I accidentally found mine where some previous owner had left it right by where the rear lap belts attach to the body. You will also need another piece that has a square hole in it and is bent like an "L". The square hole fits on to the end of the long rod with a hook. I appear to have an extension also, but I don't think it's strictly necessary.
There should be an oblong slot in the rear bumper, around the middle. You are supposed to pass the hook through this slot. I know you're confused because it's a hook, but it will actually slot into a little piece that's up underneath, just behind and above the tailpipe. I think it's hooked so you can pull the winch cable out to get easier access to the tire once lowered. You should be able to find this piece by following a connecting rod from up above the spare wheel/tire to a little gearbox.
Once you've slotted it in (I find it way easier to do this laying under the rear bumper on the driver's side), you can attach the handle (with extension if desired) and crank it counter-clockwise to lower. To put it back, just repeat in reverse until the spring on the tire bracket is fully compressed.
Questions or comments welcome. FWIW mine was pretty dirty and maybe rusty, being 20 years old, so I sprayed some WD-40 on and let it sit for 10 minutes to loosen. Later I'll lubricate it properly.
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