Motivelocks Winchlock Spare Tire Lock
 
Overview - Installation - Testing - Conclusion
Overview

Spare tire theft isnt a big issue for many people, but depending on where you live it can be an expensive hassle. The factory spare tire is easy to steal from an Xterra, even without the correct tools. Nissan offers a spare tire lock but it too can be easily defeated. MotiveLocks has come up with an ideal solution which can also prevent problems off-road.

Overview - Installation - Testing - Conclusion
Installation

Installation is easy, and only requires the factory spare tire tools and a 12MM wrench.

 

The main components of the Winchlock kit include:

  • Lock cylinder
  • Lock bar
  • U-Bracket
  • Keys
  • Hardware

For more information about this product visit Motivelocks

 


WinchLock II out of the box

Assembly

Winchlock Installation

Start by lowering and removing the spare tire with the spare tire tools in the back of the Xterra.

Locate the two hex head mounting bolts used to attach the fuel vapor canister mounting plate to the top side of the cross-member. Both mounting bolts are located to the right center of the winch mechanism.

Use a 12mm socket to remove the fuel canister mounting bolt, as indicated.

 

Reuse the mounting bolt and the provided flat washer to install the U-bracket, as shown in the picture at right. Install the lock bar through the holes in both legs of the U-bracket with the grooved end facing toward the right side frame rail.

Place the crimp-ring retainer in the groove and crimp closed with pliers.

 


U-Bracket attachment

WinchLock installed

Now raise the spare tire while guiding the lower end of the lock bar down through the lug hole least obstructed by the tire mounting plate attached to the winch chain.

With the spare tire in the correct place, slide the lock cylinder onto the rod and slide it upward. Press it firmly against the wheel and press the Lock button. Close the rubber boot over the key hole and you're done.

To remove the WinchLock simply unlock the cylinder with the key and slide it down off the rod. Then lower the tire normally.

Overview - Installation - Testing - Conclusion
Testing
Testing has been ongoing since I installed the WinchLock in April 2004.
 

Durability

Shortly after installing the WinchLock I headed to Moab Utah for 7 days of trails at goneMOAB. If you've been to Moab you know how hard it can be on an SUV like the Xterra. Many of the trails have large ledges which can catch the spare tire while descending, and steep approach angles that bottom out the rear end. This happened quite often during goneMOAB.

My spare tire took the usual beating, but the WinchLock held up without any damage.


Dragging the spare...

Lock Cylinder Detail

The quality of this product shows in every part of its design, from the ease of installation to the nice additions like a grease fitting to keep the lock lubricated and a rubber boot to keep dirt out of the lock.

Quality stuff.

Overview - Installation - Testing - Conclusion
Conclusion
The WinchLock is an excellent product that gives you piece of mind about spare tire theft and off-road damage to the spare tire mounting chain mechanism (a couple people on XOC have broken the chain off-road). At only $25.95 it's a steal, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has concerns about losing their spare tire, either on-road, off-road or to a thief when parked.
Review by xoc June 14, 2004

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