Spare Tire Crank Hole Plug 2004 F-150

thingiverse

I purchased a pre-owned 2004 Ford F-150 several years ago and discovered that the plug inserted into the jack crank hole was missing. This plug is typically a keyed device designed to prevent theft of the spare tire, although I'm fairly certain this precaution is unnecessary. Replacing it would take around 5-10 minutes, assuming you possess the necessary tools. The cost of replacing the keyed device is approximately $120, which is likely more than buying another tire and rim. However, the hole in my rusty bumper bothered me for a while. It nagged at me constantly but not to the point where I couldn't ignore it. So, I put off addressing the issue for nearly a year. But I've finally found a solution that will no longer bother me - a small plug designed by myself that fits snugly into the hole. The two parts fit together securely (I had to use a hammer to coax them into place) and fill the gap perfectly. If I ever need to remove it, prying it apart should be relatively easy due to its size and simplicity. In the center of the plug is the "F-150" logo, although the small size makes it nearly invisible. The design itself is based on a tire model found on Thingiverse (thing 1360332) that I shrunk down, filled in, and then cut in half. This two-part design allows for easy printing without supports. Moreover, by pressing the parts together, you can easily pop them apart to remove it from the hole.